ABUJA - Nigerian President Bola Tinubu on Sunday confirmed the rescue and recovery of at least 89 victims abducted earlier last week in the country's central region.

The victims who regained freedom included 38 worshippers kidnapped during a church service in Eruku, the Kwara State, and at least 51 students caught in a school attack in Niger on Friday, Tinubu said in a statement on his official X handle.

At least 315 students and teachers were reportedly taken hostage by the terrorists, who struck St. Mary's School in the Agwara local government area.

Tinubu attributed the victims' return to days of coordinated operations by security agencies, which he personally supervised after cancelling his planned trip to the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa.

"Let me be clear: I will not relent. Every Nigerian, in every state, has the right to safety -- and under my watch, we will secure this nation and protect our people," Tinubu stressed.

The Nigerian president has ordered police officers providing security for "very important persons" to focus on core duties, as many parts of Nigeria, especially remote areas, have few policemen, making it difficult to protect its people.

Tinubu added that the police presence in all communities must be enhanced, given the current security challenges in the country.