Kebbi State lit up with relief and gratitude as the Commissioner of Education, Dr. Halima Bande, officially handed over 24 rescued Maga schoolgirls to the First Lady, Zainab Nasare Idris. The handover, held on Wednesday, felt like a breath of fresh air after days of anxiety across the state.
Dr. Bande confirmed that the girls were in good health and were not harmed by their captors. She spoke with visible emotion, noting how Governor Nasir Idris had been restless since the day of the abduction, refusing to back down until the girls were brought home. According to her, his determination was the engine that powered the entire rescue effort.
Parents of the rescued students, represented by Malam Illiyasu Garba, expressed deep gratitude to the governor. He described the governor’s leadership as unwavering, saying they never lost faith that their children would return safely. The success, he added, strengthened their belief in the state’s ability to act decisively when it matters most.
Appreciation also flowed to the military, religious leaders, and everyone who contributed to the rescue operation — whether seen or unseen.
Receiving the girls, the First Lady said the entire state had been worried since the news of the abduction broke. She noted that Kebbi was fortunate to achieve the rescue within a week, a timeline that many described as nothing short of remarkable. She urged parents not to give up on their children’s education because of the incident, promising that new measures would be put in place to prevent a repeat of such trauma.
With gratitude to God and renewed hope in the state’s security efforts, the ceremony closed on a note of resilience — a reminder that even in dark moments, community and courage can still light the way.