President Bola Tinubu has directed the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, to relocate to Kebbi State to help oversee the rescue of schoolgirls abducted from a boarding school in Maga.
The statement from Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency's spokesperson, revealed this directive to Nigerians.
Gunmen stormed the Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi, in the early hours of Monday and seized students from their dormitory. At least 24 pupils were taken and at least one school staff member was killed in the attacks.
Matawalle, a former governor of Zamfara State who handled a mass kidnapping there in 2021, was asked to remain in Kebbi and coordinate security efforts. The presidency said he is expected in Birnin Kebbi on Friday.
Military leaders have pushed for swift action. Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu visited the area and told troops to step up operations, urging them to search “day and night” until the girls are found, according to military and local reports.
Kebbi Governor Mohammed Nasir Idris alleged a failure to act on advance intelligence from the Department of State Services and called the attack “clear sabotage,” remarks that have fuelled outrage and demands for accountability.
Tinubu postponed foreign travel as he awaited security briefings and has promised federal support for rescue operations. Security forces, local vigilantes and community trackers continue combing forests and roads around the state as families wait anxiously for news of the girls.
