Twenty-four female students who were abducted from their school in Kebbi State have finally regained their freedom after spending seven terrifying days in captivity. The girls were taken from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga during an early morning raid by armed men.
The Abduction Incident
The kidnapping occurred on November 17, 2025, when gunmen stormed the school shortly after military personnel had withdrawn from the area. The attackers seized the 24 students in the early hours, creating panic among residents and school authorities. This incident highlighted the persistent security challenges facing educational institutions in Northern Nigeria.
Presidential Response and Release
In a statement issued on Tuesday, President Bola Tinubu confirmed the safe return of all 24 students. The President expressed relief at their release and acknowledged the efforts of security agencies in securing their freedom. "I am relieved that all 24 girls have been accounted for," President Tinubu stated.
The President emphasized the urgent need for enhanced security measures, saying "Now, we must put as a matter of urgency more boots on the ground in the vulnerable areas to avert further incidents of kidnapping. My government will offer all the assistance needed to achieve this."
Broader Security Concerns
The Kebbi abduction comes amid growing concerns about mass kidnappings in Nigerian schools, a trend that began with the infamous Chibok incident in 2014. Several states including Kaduna, Zamfara, Katsina, and Niger have been forced to close schools in high-risk locations due to security threats.
While security forces were working to locate the Kebbi schoolgirls, another attack occurred on November 21 at St. Mary's Papiri Private Catholic Secondary School in Niger State's Agwara Local Government Area. Armed men seized students and teachers during an operation that residents said took place between 2:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m.
According to a 2023 report by Save the Children, more than 1,680 students and teachers have been kidnapped from schools across Nigeria since 2014, with the majority of these incidents occurring in northern states.
The release of the Kebbi schoolgirls follows another successful security operation that led to the freedom of 38 worshippers abducted during an attack on Christ Apostolic Church Oke Isegun in Eruku, Kwara State. Those victims were freed on Sunday after a five-day search operation that also saw three worshippers killed during the initial attack.
