The federal government has pledged a “swift and decisive” response to rescue the 25 schoolgirls abducted from a girls’ boarding school in Kebbi State, following a pre-dawn raid by armed bandits.
The government’s commitment comes amid a joint security operation involving police, military, and vigilante forces to recover the students and bring the perpetrators to justice.
The girls were taken from the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area, when gunmen stormed the school around 4:00 a.m., police said.
During the attack, security forces exchanged fire with the assailants, but the abductors succeeded in scaling the hostel fence and escaping with the students.
Tragically, the school’s vice principal, Hassan Makuku, was shot dead during the raid, and another staff member, Ali Shehu, was wounded.
In response to the abduction, the Kebbi State Police Command—backed by tactical units, military personnel, and local vigilantes—has launched an intensive search operation.
Forces are combing forest paths and likely escape routes in a bid to locate and rescue the girls.
A statement from the police public relations office reaffirmed the command’s “unwavering determination” to protect citizens’ lives and called on the public to remain calm, vigilant, and supportive of the rescue mission.
The federal government, for its part, has reassured Nigerians that it is actively coordinating with security agencies to secure the safe return of the abducted students.
Officials emphasized that no effort will be spared in bringing the captors to account and restoring peace to the community.
This incident marks yet another alarming case in Nigeria’s ongoing security crisis, where mass kidnappings of schoolchildren—especially in the northern region—have become increasingly frequent.
