By Ademuyiwa Balikis
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to travel to Kebbi State to commiserate with the government and reassure families following the abduction of schoolgirls from Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School (GGCSS), Maga, in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area.
The directive comes after armed bandits attacked the school in the early hours of Monday, killing the Vice Principal, Malam Hassan Yakubu Makuku, and abducting 25 students.
In a statement issued by the Presidency, President Tinubu expressed deep sadness over the incident and ordered security agencies to launch immediate operations to secure the release of the abducted students. He also shared his condolences with the military over the death of Brigadier General Musa Uba and several soldiers killed while confronting insurgents in Borno State.
“As the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, I am depressed with the tragic death of our soldiers and officers on active duty. May God comfort the families of Brigadier General Musa Uba and other fallen heroes.
I am also depressed that heartless terrorists have disrupted the education of innocent schoolgirls. I have directed the security agencies to act swiftly and bring the girls back to Kebbi State.” the president said
He urged communities, especially those in vulnerable areas, to share intelligence with security agencies, stressing that cooperation between citizens and security forces is essential in preventing attacks and rescuing victims.
The attack on GGCSS Maga occurred around 4:00 a.m. on Monday when heavily armed bandits invaded the school. They gained access by scaling the fence and began shooting repeatedly to cause panic. The Vice Principal, Malam Hassan Yakubu Makuku, was killed while trying to defend his students, and a security guard identified as Ali Shehu sustained a gunshot injury to his hand during the assault.
The attackers then broke into the hostels and abducted 25 female students before escaping through routes that connect Kebbi with other states where bandit groups are known to operate.
Security agencies swiftly deployed police tactical teams, military units, and local vigilantes to pursue the attackers. Police spokesperson CSP Nafiu Abubakar Kotarkoshi confirmed that a combined operation is underway to locate the bandits and rescue the abducted girls.
Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, also condemned the attack, describing it as unacceptable. He said the government has directed all security agencies to work together to ensure the safe return of the students. Matawalle urged residents to remain calm and assured them that efforts were ongoing to restore security. He condoled with the family of the late Vice Principal and prayed for Allah’s mercy upon him.
This incident adds to a troubling pattern of school kidnappings in Kebbi and other parts of the northwest, where bandit groups frequently target educational institutions, cross state borders after attacks, and use remote forests as hideouts.
