WORLD POWERS RALLY BEHIND NIGERIA AS RIBADU SAYS “MR PRESIDENT IS IN PAIN” OVER ABDUCTION OF NIGER STUDENTS

Nigeria is once again confronting the nightmare of mass abductions, and this time the weight of the tragedy has pushed the nation's leadership into what insiders describe as a moment of deep anguish. National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu captured the gravity of the moment on Monday when he visited St. Mary Catholic School in Papairi, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, the epicenter of the latest heartbreaking assault on schoolchildren. Speaking to devastated parents and community members, Ribadu delivered a message from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu—one marked by pain, urgency, and unwavering resolve.

According to Ribadu, the President is “in pain,” a sentiment he said reflects not only Tinubu’s emotional response to the abduction of 265 students and teachers but also his frustration over the recurring waves of insecurity ravaging the country. The attack, carried out by suspected insurgents, has drawn immediate national outrage and triggered an intensified security response from both local and international partners. Ribadu’s visit was not just symbolic; it was a direct reassurance to families who have been forced into an unimaginable nightmare.

But the most striking revelation from Ribadu’s address was the scale of global involvement in the rescue effort. The NSA disclosed that Nigeria has secured high-level security backing from the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and other allies. He emphasized that the international community is closing ranks with Nigeria to bring home the abducted students safely and to dismantle the networks behind such attacks. For a crisis that has threatened the soul of the nation, this level of collaboration signals a turning point—one that blends diplomacy, intelligence-sharing, and joint operational strategy.

“You are not alone,” Ribadu told the grieving crowd, his voice carrying both empathy and determination. “Many good people from all over the world are coming to support us, including the United States, France, the United Kingdom, and others. The whole world is coming together to stop and defeat this evil.” His words resonated deeply with the parents who, for days, have waited in fear, uncertainty, and agony for news about their children. In their faces, Ribadu saw the pain of a community robbed of peace and the desperation of families who simply want their children back.

Inside the school compound, the silence was overwhelming—broken only by quiet sobs and murmured prayers from families gathered in clusters. Empty classrooms, abandoned notebooks, and overturned desks painted a haunting picture of how abruptly the students were taken. Teachers recounted the ordeal with trembling voices, describing the chaos and terror that unfolded as armed men stormed the premises. The shock of it all remains fresh; the wounds, both emotional and psychological, are far from healed.

For the Federal Government, however, this tragedy has triggered what appears to be one of the most extensive multi-national security mobilizations in recent years. Sources within the security architecture say intelligence-sharing has been accelerated, with global partners providing satellite imagery, surveillance data, and specialized advisory support. The U.S., U.K., and France—countries with long-standing counterterrorism experience—are collaborating closely with Nigerian forces to track the movement of the abductors and establish the safest route to recovery.

This international cooperation comes at a critical time, as the frequency and sophistication of insurgent operations continue to challenge Nigeria’s internal security apparatus. The latest abduction is a painful reminder of the vulnerability of schools in remote areas and the persistent threats posed by armed groups. It also revives memories of other mass school kidnappings that shook the nation, including Chibok, Dapchi, and Kagara. For many Nigerians, the question remains: how long will this continue?

President Tinubu, according to Ribadu, has directed security agencies to adopt a zero-tolerance stance toward kidnappings, insisting that every available resource be deployed to ensure the safe return of the students and teachers. Ribadu also met with local leaders, security officers, and community vigilantes, emphasizing the importance of coordinated responses and timely intelligence.

Parents at the school grounds expressed a mixture of sorrow, anger, and faint hope. Some pleaded for swift action, fearing the fate of their children in the hands of armed captors. Others questioned why security agencies did not anticipate or prevent such an attack. But in all the conversations, one thing was clear: families were clinging tightly to Ribadu’s assurance that they were not forgotten and that the world was watching—and acting.

Security analysts say the involvement of global powers could significantly boost the chances of a successful rescue. The United States has a history of supporting hostage recovery missions globally, while the U.K. and France have strong operational footprints in West Africa. Their participation could help tighten search grids, cut off escape routes, and support tactical interventions when necessary. However, experts also caution that such operations must prioritize the safety of the hostages, given the risks involved.

As the search continues, the nation waits anxiously. For many Nigerians, the possibility of yet another prolonged or tragic outcome is too painful to imagine. Communities across the country are offering prayers, holding vigils, and demanding urgent reforms to safeguard schools, especially in vulnerable regions. Civil society organizations have renewed calls for the government to implement stronger early-warning systems, reinforce school perimeters, and strengthen local security networks.

More than anything, though, this crisis has exposed the emotional and psychological toll of insecurity on Nigeria’s citizens. Ribadu’s admission that the President is “in pain” underscores how deeply the government feels the weight of this responsibility. But for parents in Papairi, the pain is personal—and immediate. Every passing hour without their children feels like an eternity.

As world powers rally behind Nigeria, hopes are rising that help will come not just in words but in decisive action. The rescue mission represents more than just an operation; it is a test of the country’s resilience, leadership, and commitment to protecting its most vulnerable. It is also a defining moment for the Tinubu administration, which now faces mounting pressure to deliver results and restore confidence in Nigeria’s security institutions.

For now, the nation holds its breath. And in Papairi, where fear and faith stand side by side, parents cling to Ribadu’s promise: they are not alone, the world is watching, and Nigeria is determined to bring its children home.