The successful rescue of 24 schoolgirls abducted from Government Girls Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State, has been described as a divine victory and evidence of decisive presidential leadership by prominent Northern groups.
Divine Victory in Kebbi Rescue Operation
The Network for Peace and Development (NPD), in a statement issued on November 25, 2025, celebrated the safe return of the abducted students, attributing the success to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's immediate intervention.
"To the glory of God Almighty, our daughters are back home alive and unharmed," declared Reverend Moses Adamu, the Executive Director of NPD, who signed the statement. "This miracle did not happen by chance. It is the direct result of Mr. President's fatherly resolve when he ordered the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, to relocate to Kebbi State and ensure the girls were brought back alive."
Matawalle's Frontline Leadership Praised
The group particularly commended Dr. Matawalle for his hands-on approach during the eight-day ordeal. Rather than directing operations from the comfort of Abuja, the minister moved to the theater of operations, coordinating security forces on the ground and providing frontline leadership.
"Dr. Matawalle did not sit in Abuja issuing press releases," the statement emphasized. "He moved to the theatre of operation, coordinated the forces on ground, and led from the front. Today, Kebbi and the entire nation are celebrating because of his courage and commitment."
The NPD also praised the coordinated efforts of security chiefs, including:
- The Chief of Defence Staff
- Service Chiefs from various branches
- The Inspector-General of Police
- Ground troops who executed the rescue mission
Community Collaboration and Tragic Loss
Throughout the eight-day crisis, the Network for Peace and Development worked closely with federal security forces, providing crucial community intelligence and mobilizing local hunters to support the operation.
"We saw first-hand the determination of our security agencies when they are backed by a President who means business," Reverend Adamu noted, highlighting the effectiveness of the collaboration between community groups and security forces.
Amid the celebration, the group also mourned the death of the school's Vice Principal, Malam Hassan Makuku, who was killed during the initial attack on the school. The NPD offered prayers for his soul and extended condolences to his family.
The organization urged the government to maintain the momentum in securing educational institutions across Nigeria, declaring: "Today, Mr. President, Dr. Bello Matawalle, and our security forces have shown that no child will be abandoned in the hands of criminals as long as this administration is in power."
As talks of an imminent cabinet shake-up circulate, the two Northern groups have specifically appealed to President Tinubu to retain Dr. Bello Matawalle as the Minister of State for Defence, citing his demonstrated commitment and effectiveness during the Kebbi rescue operation.
