Student's Harrowing Escape from Terrorist Attack
A student from Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School in Maga, Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State has shared terrifying details of how terrorists stormed their school and abducted 25 female students. Khadijat Lawal, an SSS3 student who narrowly escaped the attack, described the early Monday morning invasion that left the school community in shock.
The attack occurred around 5 am on Monday when armed men forced their way into the school premises and herded students into nearby forests. Khadijat, speaking through her father Malam Lawal Altine, revealed that she and other students were asleep in their hostel when strange voices awakened them.
Narrow Escape from Captors
"We heard attempts to force our door open around 5 am," Khadijat recounted. "Fear gripped all of us as the armed bandits tried to gain access to the hostel." The young student managed to slip out and hide while listening helplessly as the terrorists moved systematically through different areas of the school.
Malam Lawal Altine, who has three children enrolled in the school, confirmed that his daughter remains deeply traumatized by the incident. Khadijat expressed that the memory of the attack would remain indelibly engraved in her mind for the rest of her life.
Government Response and Security Concerns
In response to the security breach, President Bola Tinubu has dispatched Vice President Kashim Shettima to Kebbi State to sympathize with the state government and reassure parents of the kidnapped schoolgirls that the government will ensure their swift release. The Vice President is scheduled to visit on Wednesday.
President Tinubu also extended condolences to the military following the death of Brigadier General Musa Uba and other soldiers who lost their lives while fighting insurgents in Borno State. The President expressed particular concern that the abduction occurred despite intelligence warnings about a possible strike by the bandits.
The Commander-in-Chief commended Governor Mohammed Nasir Idris for efforts made to prevent the kidnapping while decrying the security breach that led to the abduction. He emphasized that security forces cannot perform optimally without support from local communities, urging residents in areas facing security challenges to share information with military, police, and DSS personnel.
"I have directed the security agencies to act swiftly and bring the girls back to Kebbi State," President Tinubu declared. "Our security forces cannot succeed in protecting us if the people don't cooperate and share information that will help them keep our communities safe."
The President described being depressed by both the tragic death of soldiers and the disruption of education for innocent schoolgirls, calling the terrorists "heartless" for their actions.
