A United States lawmaker has spoken out about the recent abduction of 25 schoolgirls in Kebbi State, drawing both support and criticism from Nigerian officials and social media users.
American Politician Calls for Prayers and Action
Congressman Riley Moore publicly condemned the attack on Government Secondary School in Maga, located in the Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi state. The lawmaker took to X on Tuesday, November 18, to express his concern about the incident that has shaken the northern Nigerian community.
"Please join me in praying for the 25 girls who have been kidnapped and for the repose of the soul of their vice principal, who was killed," Moore wrote in his social media post.
The attack occurred in the early hours of Monday when heavily armed bandits stormed the school premises. The assailants not only abducted the students but also killed the vice principal and injured several staff members during the violent incident.
Controversial Claim Sparks Nigerian Backlash
Moore's statement took a controversial turn when he suggested that "the attack occurred in a Christian enclave in Northern Nigeria." This characterization prompted immediate pushback from Nigerian officials and social media commentators.
Bashir Ahmad, who previously served as Senior Special Assistant on New Media to former President Muhammadu Buhari, directly challenged the American lawmaker's description of the attack location.
"While appreciating your concern and praying for our sisters, it is important to correct a crucial detail here, the attack did not occur in a Christian enclave," Ahmad responded on the same platform.
The former presidential aide emphasized that the incident actually "happened within a Muslim community, and the victims themselves were Muslims." He expressed frustration with what he characterized as foreign misunderstanding of Nigeria's complex security challenges.
Government Response and Security Concerns
Meanwhile, the Nigerian federal government has assured citizens that efforts are underway to secure the safe return of the abducted students. Officials have expressed deep concern over the incident and stated they "share in the pain of the victims" while actively working to bring the girls home safely.
Moore used his platform to call for more decisive action from Nigerian authorities, stating that "The Nigerian government must do more to end the rampant violence" affecting various parts of the country.
The kidnapping in Kebbi represents another troubling incident in Nigeria's ongoing security challenges, particularly in northern regions where bandit activity has disrupted education and daily life in numerous communities.
