President Bola Tinubu has directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to visit Kebbi State on Wednesday in response to the abduction of schoolgirls from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga.
Senator Shettima’s visit aimed to sympathize with the Kebbi State Government and reassure parents and guardians that efforts were ongoing for the swift release of the kidnapped students.
President Tinubu, through his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, also extended condolences to the military for the deaths of soldiers, including Brigadier General Musa Uba, who were killed in the fight against insurgents in Borno State.
The President also condemned the abduction, describing it as a disruption to the education of innocent girls, and instructed security agencies to act swiftly.
He commended Kebbi Governor Nasir Idris for preventive efforts but lamented the security breach that allowed the incident.
Tinubu further called on local communities to cooperate with security forces by providing intelligence, emphasizing that community support is crucial in combating insecurity.
The attack occurred after the gunmen left the staff quarters.
The school’s vice principal, Hassan Makuku, was killed while attempting to protect the students. Witnesses reported that the attackers met no resistance, causing widespread panic.
Kebbi Police, alongside soldiers and vigilantes, have been deployed to rescue the girls and apprehend the perpetrators.
Authorities are combing nearby forests as part of the search.
Governor Idris had dispatched Deputy Governor Umar Tafida to assess the situation, while continuing to receive security briefings despite being out of state.
Meanwhile, the community mourns Makuku’s bravery, and parents remain anxious as the search for the kidnapped girls continues.
Photos from the school showed a deserted hostel with scattered belongings and empty bunk beds, illustrating the chaos left behind by the attack.
