Nigeria is once again grappling with the trauma of mass school kidnappings after 25 schoolgirls were abducted from a government secondary school in Maga, Sakaba Local Government Area of Kebbi State. The attack, which occurred in the early hours of Monday, has prompted national outrage, renewed questions about school security, and a large-scale manhunt by security forces.
A Night Raid Marked by Violence
According to eyewitnesses and local authorities, heavily armed gunmen stormed the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School at dawn, arriving on motorcycles and wielding sophisticated weapons. Security personnel at the school engaged the attackers in a shootout, but they were overpowered.
During the confrontation, the school’s vice principal, Malam Hassan Yakubu Makuku, was shot and killed while trying to protect the students. His death has drawn widespread sympathy, with many people describing him as a hero who died defending his pupils.
The assailants forced their way into the hostels and abducted 25 girls, disappearing into the surrounding forests that stretch across the northwest’s notorious bandit corridors.
One Girl Escapes as Search Intensifies
Authorities confirmed that one of the abducted girls managed to escape, navigating through thick forest paths to reach nearby communities. She is now in protective custody and receiving psychological support. Her testimony is expected to help security agencies trace the kidnappers’ route and possible hideouts.
The Kebbi State Government, in collaboration with federal authorities, has launched a coordinated search operation involving the military, police, local vigilante groups, and air surveillance units. Road corridors, forest enclaves, and suspected bandit camps across Kebbi and neighbouring states are currently being combed.
Officials Condemn Attack as Nationwide Concern Grows
The mass abduction has sparked national outrage, with several civil society groups and student associations issuing strong statements. The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) condemned the kidnapping as “one tragedy too many,” calling on the federal government to move beyond reactive security measures.
Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris described the attack as “barbaric and heartbreaking,” promising that every resource available to the state would be committed to securing the girls’ release.
At the national level, security experts warn that the continued vulnerability of schools, especially in the northern region, demands urgent reform, stronger community intelligence networks, and better protection for rural institutions.
Echoes of Chibok, Dapchi, and Jangebe
This latest incident adds to a disturbing pattern of mass abductions targeting schools in Nigeria over the past decade. The attacks not only traumatize families and communities but also disrupt academic calendars, force school closures, and discourage parents from sending their children, especially girls, to school.
Human rights groups say the psychological impact on young survivors is long-lasting, and the ripple effect on girls’ education in affected regions is severe.
Government Faces Pressure to Deliver
As rescue efforts continue, families of the abducted girls are pleading with authorities to ensure their daughters’ safe return. Many gathered outside the school premises, some in tears, calling for swift action.
The federal government is under growing pressure to deliver immediate results. With international media now reporting on the incident, global attention is turning once again toward Nigeria’s struggle to protect students from armed groups.
What Happens Next?
Security analysts say the next 48 to 72 hours are crucial. Bandit groups often move their captives across long distances shortly after an abduction to evade tracking. The speed and coordination of the current search effort may determine how quickly the girls can be rescued.
For now, we hold our breath as a familiar and painful story unfolds once again, one that we hope will end with the safe return of the students and renewed resolve to secure the nation’s schools.
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