Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has invited all Senators to a dinner scheduled for Friday at Aso Rock, according to an announcement made on the floor of the Senate by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Akpabio wished the Senators a “sumptuous meal” at the gathering and confirmed, “We will all meet there on Friday.”

The dinner invitation comes amid growing national grief and tension due to widespread kidnappings and violent attacks by bandits across the country.

SaharaReporters previously reported that a parent of abducted schoolchildren at St. Mary School in Niger State died of a heart attack following the kidnapping of his three children. Rev. John Hayab, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the Northern Region and FCT, confirmed the death and highlighted the ongoing trauma experienced by parents of abducted children.

Earlier, fifty pupils abducted from St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Niger State, reportedly escaped and were reunited with their families. This escape occurred just days after terrorists attacked the school and abducted a total of 303 pupils and students.

According to Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, Chairman of CAN Niger State and Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, 236 primary pupils, 14 secondary students, and 12 teachers remain with the abductors. He urged continued prayers for the safe rescue of all victims.

Kidnappings and attacks have also been reported in other states including Kwara, Kebbi, and Borno, causing widespread devastation, fear, and public outrage across Nigeria.