President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered a swift and coordinated operation to rescue the 25 female students abducted from Government Girls Secondary School, Maga, in the Danko-Wasagu area of Kebbi State. The tragic attack, carried out by armed gunmen in the early hours of Monday, left the Vice Principal, Hassan Makuku, dead and a security guard, Ali Shehu, severely injured after sustaining gunshot wounds to his right hand.
According to the Kebbi State Police Command, spokesperson Nafi’u Kotarkoshi confirmed that a massive manhunt is already underway as security teams intensify efforts to track down the attackers and secure the safe release of the abducted students. The incident has sent shockwaves across the state, reigniting concerns over safety in schools and the rising wave of insecurity in parts of the country.
In a statement released on Monday, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said President Tinubu condemned the attack in strong terms and reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to the safety of all Nigerians, with a special focus on schoolchildren. The President described the assault on the school as “reprehensible” and vowed that those responsible would face justice.
Idris revealed that President Tinubu has issued clear and urgent directives to the nation’s security and intelligence agencies, mandating them to locate, rescue, and safely return the abducted girls as quickly as possible. The President also emphasized that the Federal Government will not rest until every missing student is reunited with their family.
The minister further assured Nigerians that internal security remains a top priority for the Tinubu administration. He noted that the government is currently overhauling the country’s military, police, and intelligence frameworks to better anticipate, prevent, and respond to attacks of this nature. He added that Nigeria is strengthening regional partnerships through ECOWAS, the African Union, and the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) to tighten border security and dismantle cross-border criminal networks.
Idris urged the public to remain calm and maintain confidence in the ongoing rescue operations, assuring that security personnel are working tirelessly and around the clock to resolve the situation.
The abduction has once again drawn national attention to the vulnerability of schools in remote communities and the urgent need for improved security measures to protect students and staff across the country. Authorities say investigations are still ongoing as efforts continue to bring the girls home safely.