Nigeria has been thrown into shock following the abduction of 25 schoolgirls from the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, located in Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State. The attack, which occurred in the early hours of Monday morning, has reignited national concerns over insecurity and the safety of schoolchildren in the northern region.
According to eyewitnesses and police reports, the attack began around 4 a.m. when a group of heavily armed gunmen breached the school premises. The attackers exchanged gunfire with police officers stationed at the school. During the confrontation, the Vice Principal, Malam Hassan Yakubu Makuku, was shot dead, and another staff member sustained injuries. After overpowering the security presence, the gunmen abducted 25 female students and fled into nearby forests.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reacted swiftly to the tragic incident, strongly condemning the attack and describing it as a brutal assault on innocent children. He directed all security and intelligence agencies to immediately mobilize and launch a coordinated rescue operation aimed at securing the safe return of the abducted schoolgirls. The President emphasized that the protection of students remains a national priority and assured Nigerians that his administration will take decisive action to end such threats.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, reiterated the government’s commitment to rescuing the students and condemned the attack as an unacceptable violation of national values. Similarly, the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, ordered intensified surveillance, increased military presence, and full collaboration between security units to ensure that the girls are brought home safely. He urged the public to remain calm and to provide any useful information that may support the rescue efforts.
Security agencies in Kebbi State have begun a large-scale search-and-rescue mission. Police tactical teams, military forces, and local vigilante groups are scanning forests and monitoring potential escape routes. Authorities believe the abductors may attempt to move the girls through remote areas, which could complicate rescue operations.
This attack underscores the persistent security challenges facing the North-West. School abductions have become a recurring nightmare for parents and communities, threatening educational stability and discouraging school attendance, especially among girls. The emotional, psychological, and educational impact of these incidents lingers long after the victims are rescued.
The coming days will be critical as Nigerians await updates from security agencies and the Presidency. The success or failure of this rescue operation will significantly influence public trust in the government’s ability to protect its citizens and safeguard the nation’s youth.
REFERENCES
- Reuters – Gunmen abduct 25 students in boarding school attack in Nigeria
https://www.reuters.com/world/gunmen-abduct-25-students-boarding-school-attack-nigeria-police-says-2025-11-17/ - AP News – Gunmen abduct 25 girls from a high school in northwestern Nigeria
https://apnews.com/article/9d288758bf1a57f3390c962f0a68596b - Vanguard – Tinubu orders rescue of 25 abducted school girls
https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/11/tinubu-orders-rescue-of-25-abducted-school-girls/ - The Cable – Tinubu orders swift rescue of abducted Kebbi schoolgirls
https://www.thecable.ng/tinubu-orders-swift-rescue-of-abducted-kebbi-schoolgirls-says-internal-security-remains-top-priority - Telegraph Nigeria – Police confirm abduction in Kebbi girls’ school
https://telegraph.ng/news/2025/11/17/police-confirm-abduction-in-kebbi-girls-school-begin-rescue-operation/
