The mass kidnapping of schoolgirls from Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State, has ignited a nationwide security crisis, prompting urgent military intervention and drawing sharp political criticism against President Bola Tinubu's administration.
Armed bandits abducted 25 students from the school on Monday, plunging the Danko/Wasagu community into anguish and raising fresh concerns about Nigeria's worsening security situation.
Military Response Intensifies
In response to the crisis, Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu has ordered troops under Operation Fasan Yamma to intensify efforts to secure the students' release. The army chief delivered his directive during a meeting with frontline commanders and troops in Gusau, emphasizing that success in this mission is not optional.
"We must find these children. Act decisively and professionally on all intelligence. Success is not optional," General Shaibu declared, according to a statement issued by Operation Fasan Yamma's Media Information Officer, Captain David Adewusi.
The military leader also met with local vigilantes and hunters, describing them as vital partners in the rescue mission. He encouraged them to leverage their knowledge of the local terrain to support troops in locating and neutralizing criminal groups operating in the area.
Earlier, General Shaibu paid condolence visits to the traditional ruler of Danko, Alhaji Abubakar Ibrahim Allaje, and the school's principal, Rabi Musa Magaji, assuring them of the military's commitment to rescuing the missing students unharmed.
Glimmer of Hope as Student Escapes
Amid the tragedy, a ray of hope emerged when one of the abducted schoolgirls managed to escape from captivity and return home. The school principal confirmed the development, noting that the girl's return just hours after the abduction has provided some comfort to families anxiously awaiting news of their missing children.
The escape has bolstered hopes that other students might still be rescued safely as military operations continue in the region.
Regional Security Alarms Sound
The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, has raised alarm about escalating insecurity drifting toward Nigeria's South-West region. Speaking at a world press conference organized by the Aare Onakakanfo in Council at Oodua House in Ikeja, Lagos, Adams warned that failure to act swiftly could have severe consequences for the region.
"If care is not taken urgently, this clear, present, serious, and immediate danger can change the topography, landscape, and history of peace-loving Yoruba people," Adams stated.
The Yoruba leader revealed that fresh intelligence from local networks suggests armed groups are mobilizing to leave forests and invade towns and cities. He expressed frustration over state governors' reluctance to collaborate with his organization on security matters, noting that several official letters had gone unanswered.
Adams surprisingly endorsed former United States President Donald Trump's call for international military assistance in tackling terrorism in Nigeria, questioning why some Nigerians oppose foreign intervention.
"If our governors are powerless or, for political reasons, refuse to deal with the situation, it is better for American soldiers to help this land," Adams argued.
Political Fallout and Condemnation
The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) strongly condemned the attack on the girls' school, blaming the Tinubu administration for the alarming rise in insecurity across Nigeria. In a statement signed by National Publicity Secretary Comrade Ini Ememobong, the party described the incident as highlighting the lived reality of Nigerians under the current government.
"When a government fails in its primary duty of safeguarding lives and property, it must accept responsibility and deal decisively with the issues," the PDP stated, calling on President Tinubu to devote urgent attention to securing citizens' lives and property.
Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi also expressed shock and sadness over the attacks in Kebbi and Zamfara States. In a statement issued from Monaco, Italy, Obi described the incidents as devastating and unacceptable losses.
"My heart is heavy in faraway Monaco as I receive the heartbreaking news from Kebbi State about the attack on Maga Comprehensive Girls' Secondary School," Obi said, calling for an urgent overhaul of the country's security architecture.
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) raised concerns about operational lapses in the Nigerian Army following the killing of Brigadier General M. Uba by the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). The organization criticized the federal government's inaction and the absence of any public response from President Tinubu.
Meanwhile, the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) condemned the school attack, demanding the immediate release of the abducted students. The organization emphasized that children, education facilities, and school personnel are protected under international law and must not be subjected to attacks.
Political Defection Postponed
In a related development, Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas has postponed his planned defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) following the Kebbi abduction. The governor described the kidnapping as heartbreaking and stated it would be inappropriate to proceed with political activities while families and the nation deal with the trauma.
The safety and well-being of the children were more important than any political event, Kefas emphasized, noting that the defection scheduled for today has been put on hold pending further consultations and security improvements.
The incident in Kebbi represents another chapter in Nigeria's ongoing security challenges, with educational institutions increasingly becoming targets for criminal elements, raising urgent questions about the government's capacity to protect its most vulnerable citizens.
