Welcome to Friday’s roundup of Nigerian newspaper headlines, where we scan the papers and then gently remind power that citizens are still awake.

1. Daily Trust: We were beaten, didn’t bath for 2 weeks — Kaduna abductees

After two weeks in captivity marked by hunger, fear, and abuse, dozens of worshippers abducted from churches in Kurmin Wali, Kaduna State, are back home, but is rescue enough when no one is held responsible?

Our Take: While it is a relief that the worshippers returned alive, we must demand more than this familiar ‘thank God they came back’ ending. We should demand full transparency from the military and police on how the rescue happened, the immediate arrest and prosecution of the bandits involved, permanent security presence around vulnerable communities and worship centres, and proper medical and psychological support for survivors.

2. Punch: Electoral Act: Opposition pushes back as e-transmission faces firestorm

The Senate Minority Caucus clarified on Thursday that the Senate did not reject the electronic transmission of election results before the leadership passed the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, contrary to widespread media reports.

Our Take: Beyond the back-and-forth of denials and clarifications, this moment calls on Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the Senate leadership, INEC, and the National Assembly’s communications machinery to speak clearly, publish unambiguous legislative positions in plain language, and stop leaving the public to rely on ‘interpretations’ after every plenary.

3. Vanguard: Kwara Massacre: Soldiers Came 10 Hours after Terrorists Had Killed Scores — Village head

So, the head of Woro village in Kwara State, Umar Salihu, has said that for nearly ten hours, the village was under attack while distress calls went unanswered, and then soldiers arrived around 3 a.m., seemingly only after the village had been successfully attacked.

Our Take: Security that arrives at 3 a.m. after a 5 p.m. attack is a tragic rerun of our national habit of showing up after the closing credits. This tragedy demands more than condolences and press statements. President Bola Tinubu must immediately order an independent probe into the 10-hour response gap, publish a clear timeline of actions taken, hold any negligent officials accountable, and deploy sustained protection.