President Bola Tinubu has directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to travel to Kebbi State today to commiserate with the state government and families of the 25 schoolgirls abducted from Government Girls’ Comprehensive Senior Secondary School, Maga, in Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area.
Tinubu also condoled with the Nigerian military over the death of Brigadier General Musa Uba and other soldiers killed during operations against insurgents in Borno State.
The President expressed sadness over the abductions, despite earlier intelligence warnings about a possible attack, and commended Governor Nasir Idris for efforts made to prevent the incident. He urged communities to support security agencies with timely information, stressing that intelligence-sharing was critical to preventing attacks.
Mother of Slain Vice Principal Narrates Attack
Amina Hassan, wife of the slain Vice Principal of the school, recounted how gunmen invaded their home around 3:30 a.m., shot her husband, and attempted to abduct her daughter. She said her daughter escaped after distracting the attackers, who shifted their attention to other students in the school hostel.
Army Intensifies Search-and-Rescue
Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, who visited Kebbi yesterday, ordered troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA to sustain day-and-night operations until the girls are rescued.
He met with frontline commanders, local vigilantes, and hunters, charging them to leverage local intelligence and pursue the criminals into forest hideouts. Shaibu also paid a condolence visit to the traditional ruler of Danko and the school’s principal.
Senate Seeks Recruitment of 100,000 Troops
The Senate, during plenary, called on President Tinubu to approve the recruitment of at least 100,000 additional military personnel to address increasing security challenges nationwide.
The lawmakers also set up an ad hoc committee to probe the Safe School Programme and determine why it has failed to protect schools from recurrent attacks.
Senators described the Kebbi abduction as a national tragedy and urged security agencies to act swiftly to secure the release of the girls.
International Reactions
U.S. lawmaker Riley Moore condemned the attack, noting that it occurred in a Christian community, and called for prayers for the victims.
UNICEF also denounced the abduction, urging Nigeria to strengthen protection for children and fully implement the Safe Schools Declaration, which the country signed in 2015.
First Lady, NANS React
First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu described the incident as an assault on the values of education and safety, expressing hope for the girls’ quick rescue.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) called the abduction “heartbreaking,” noting that it occurred on International Students’ Day. The group urged the government to act decisively to end attacks on schools.
