President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed security and intelligence agencies to embark on an urgent high level operation to rescue the 25 female students abducted from Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School GGCSSS Maga in Kebbi State. The attack, carried out in the early hours of Sunday, left the Vice Principal Malam Hassan Makuku dead.
Gunmen stormed the school around dawn and whisked away the pupils after shooting Makuku who was reportedly attempting to shield the students from the assailants. The incident which occurred in Danko Wasagu Local Government Area has thrown the community into grief with residents offering prayers for the late administrator and hailing his bravery.
Kebbi State Police Command spokesman CSP Nafiu Abubakar confirmed that security operatives have launched a full scale manhunt for the attackers. Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris announced the President’s directive stressing that protecting Nigerians especially schoolchildren remains a core duty of the State.
“Security and intelligence agencies have been issued clear directives to locate rescue and safely return the pupils and to ensure that the perpetrators face justice” Idris said. He added that the Federal Government is deepening collaboration with ECOWAS the African Union AU and the Multinational Joint Task Force MNJTF to strengthen border security and dismantle terrorist networks. According to him the country is also recalibrating its military police and intelligence systems to improve rapid response to threats.
Minister of State for Defence Bello Matawalle condemned the attack as unacceptable urging security agencies to act decisively and in unison to secure the students’ release. He extended condolences to the family of the slain vice principal and prayed for Allah’s mercy upon him.
Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris who visited Maga and met with security agencies traditional leaders and families of the victims assured parents that the state government is working closely with federal authorities to rescue the girls. “We will bring them back” he pledged.
