The Kebbi State government has taken a significant step by publicly releasing the names of the 25 schoolgirls abducted from the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, located in the Danko Wasagu Local Government Area. This decisive action was prompted by a need to correct misinformation, specifically a claim made by United States lawmaker Riley Moore that the kidnapping occurred in a Christian enclave within Nigeria's Northwest region.
Government Sets the Record Straight on Religious Demographics
In a firm response, state authorities have clarified that the claim from the US congressman is not only misleading but also dangerously inflammatory. Hussaini Aliyu, the Chairman of Danko-Wasagu Local Government, provided a clear statement, confirming that all 25 abducted students are Muslim. He further elaborated that the Maga community, which falls under the Zuru Emirate, is known for its long history of peaceful coexistence and has never been a hotspot for religious crises.
Mr. Aliyu directly appealed to the US lawmaker to avoid making unverified statements that could potentially undermine national unity in Nigeria. He stressed that the government's primary and unwavering focus remains on securing the safe return of the girls.
Details of the Attack and the US Lawmaker's Statement
The abduction took place on Monday, November 17, 2025, when armed bandits stormed the staff quarters of the school. The violent attack resulted in the tragic death of the school's vice principal, Malam Hassan Makuku.
US Congressman Riley Moore had taken to the social media platform X to condemn the attack, describing it as “horrific” and asking for prayers for the students and the slain vice principal. However, his post included the controversial assertion that the abduction happened in a “Christian enclave,” a description that was swiftly criticized by many Nigerians for misrepresenting the actual facts on the ground.
Official List of Abducted Schoolgirls Released
To provide absolute clarity and transparency, the Kebbi State government published the full list of the abducted girls, categorized by their classes:
Senior Secondary School 2A
- Fatima Sani Zimri
- Hafsat Ibrahim
- Nana Firdausi Jibril
- Masauda Yakubu Romo
Senior Secondary School 2B
- Hauwa Saleh
- Hauwa’u Umar Imam
Senior Secondary School 3A & 3B
- Salima Garba Umar
- Salima Sani Zimri
- Amina G. Umar
- Rashida Muhammad Dingu
- Saliha Umar
- Aisha Usman
- Jamila Iliyasu
- Maryam Illiyasu
- Najaatu Abdullahi
- Zainab Kolo
Junior Secondary School 3A
- Surraya Tukur
- Hafsat Umar Yalmo
- Maryam Usman
- Amina Illiyasu
- Ikilima Suleman
Junior Secondary School
- Khadija Nazifi
- Hauwa’u Iliyasu
- Hauwa’u Lawali
- Ummu Kulsum Abdulkarim
Appeal for Calm and Focus on Rescue Mission
The state government has issued a strong appeal for public calm, urging residents to cooperate fully with security agencies and support the ongoing efforts to ensure the safe release of the girls. Officials emphasized that the publication of the names was a strategic move intended to correct dangerous misconceptions and prevent the escalation of unnecessary religious tension. Meanwhile, security operations have been intensified to locate and rescue the abducted students.
In a related personal account, Amina Hassan, the wife of the slain vice principal, narrated the harrowing experience of the attack. She shared how her own daughter managed to escape from the gunmen shortly after they shot her husband dead during the invasion, painting a grim picture of the bandits' brutality.
