Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has invited all Senators to a dinner at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa on Friday. Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced during Wednesday’s plenary session.

Akpabio informed lawmakers of the invitation and jokingly wished them a “sumptuous meal,” adding that they would all meet at the event.

The dinner invitation comes at a difficult moment for the country, as many Nigerians are grieving and angry over ongoing kidnappings and killings linked to bandits and terrorists across several states.

Earlier in the week, reports emerged that a parent of three abducted pupils from St. Mary School in Niger State had died from a heart attack.

The sad development was confirmed by Rev. John Hayab, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) for the Northern Region and the FCT. He explained on Arise TV that the man, identified as Mr. Anthony, collapsed after the abduction of his three children.

Hayab said the emotional trauma among the parents is still very raw, and many are afraid to speak publicly about their pain.

In another update from Niger State, about 50 pupils who were abducted from St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri reportedly managed to escape and return home over the weekend. The escape happened a few days after terrorists stormed the school and kidnapped 303 pupils, students, and staff members.

According to the school’s proprietor, Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, who is also the Chairman of CAN in Niger State and the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, school authorities contacted the parents of the returned pupils to confirm their safety. He urged Nigerians to continue praying for the rescue of the remaining hostages.

The school further explained that out of 430 primary pupils, 377 are boarders. While 50 escaped, 141 were not taken during the attack, leaving 236 pupils still with the abductors, along with staff children and secondary students.

Beyond Niger State, several other kidnappings have been recorded in Kwara, Kebbi, Borno, and other states, adding to the fear and frustration many Nigerians currently feel.

The First Lady’s dinner invitation, therefore, comes at a time when national attention remains heavily focused on security challenges and the fate of kidnapped victims across the country.