Twenty-five schoolgirls abducted from Government Girls’ Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State have regained their freedom eight days after they were taken by armed attackers. Their release was secured through coordinated operations by national security agencies, who retrieved the girls early Tuesday morning. One student had escaped on the day of the attack, while the school’s vice principal was killed in an effort to shield the children.
The rescued students were immediately transported to Birnin Kebbi for medical checks and documentation ahead of their official handover to their families. Authorities described the girls as stable and in good condition following their ordeal.
Reacting to the development, Atiku Abubakar welcomed the safe return of the children but warned that their abduction and subsequent release should not be celebrated as a success. He described the incident as a troubling indication of Nigeria’s worsening security challenges, noting that criminal groups continue to operate freely and negotiate without fear of accountability. According to him, the situation reflects deep structural weaknesses in the country’s security architecture.https://caliphatebroadcast.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=2253&action=edit
Atiku further called for a comprehensive overhaul of national security strategy, urging the government to invest in better intelligence gathering, strengthen personnel deployment in vulnerable communities, and prioritize proactive measures that prevent attacks rather than respond to them after the damage is done. He stressed that Nigerian citizens deserve safety, dignity, and peace, and that no child should have to experience such trauma.
The release of the schoolgirls has brought relief to families and communities across Kebbi State, but the incident has intensified calls for stronger protection of schools and rural settlements across the region.