Schoolgirls Abducted in Northwestern Nigeria
Maga, Nigeria – Twenty-four schoolgirls were abducted from a dormitory at the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga town, Kebbi state, northwestern Nigeria, before dawn on Monday. One student subsequently escaped and is now safe, according to the school principal.
Details of the Incident
Gunmen attacked the school premises, reportedly scaling a fence to gain entry. An exchange of gunfire occurred between the assailants and police officers stationed at the school. Following the confrontation, the gunmen seized the students and fatally shot a staff member, identified as Hassan Yakubu Makuku, the school's vice principal and chief security officer. Accounts from residents, including Abdulkarim Abdullahi, whose daughter and granddaughter were among the abducted, indicated hearing gunshots and observing the attackers arriving on motorcycles. Amina Hassan, the spouse of the deceased staff member, stated that the assailants specifically targeted her husband within their on-premises residence.
Ongoing Search and Context
Security forces and local hunters have initiated search operations in nearby forests and along major roads where the gangs are known to operate. Kebbi Governor Nasir Idris visited the school and committed to rescue efforts. Nigeria's Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, directed "intelligence-driven operations and relentless day-and-night pursuit" of the abductors.
No group has claimed responsibility for the abduction. However, similar incidents in northern Nigeria are often attributed to bandit gangs who target schools, travelers, and remote communities for ransom. These groups are frequently described as former herders involved in conflicts with farming communities. The Kebbi school is located near regions such as Zamfara and Sokoto states, which are known for gang activity.
Escapees and Broader Implications
In addition to the student who escaped hours after the abduction, another student managed to evade capture during the initial raid. Both students are reported to be safe. Since the abduction of 276 Chibok schoolgirls over a decade ago, approximately 1,500 students have been seized in the region. Analysts suggest that school abductions are a strategy employed by gangs to attract broader attention, noting that such incidents gain more traction than other forms of kidnapping. The persistent insecurity is often linked to a lack of prosecution for perpetrators and issues of corruption affecting security forces' resources.