Nigerians Criticize BBC Over “Gunbattle” Description After Kebbi School Raid
Outrage has erupted across social media after the BBC characterized a deadly raid on a girls’ school in Kebbi State as a “gunbattle,” with many Nigerians accusing the broadcaster of misrepresenting what eyewitnesses say was a one‑sided terrorist attack.
The incident occurred early Monday morning at the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area, when armed men stormed the school. Witnesses claim the attackers fired sporadically to create panic, killed the vice principal, Hassan Makuku, and abducted 25 female students before fleeing into nearby forests.
BBC World posted on X (formerly Twitter): “Teacher killed and 25 girls abducted in gunbattle at Nigerian school.”
Critics say the use of “gunbattle” is deeply misleading. They argue it suggests a mutual exchange of fire, when in reality, what happened was a brutal, unprovoked raid:
Dr. Victor T.A., referencing police and eyewitness testimonies, said: “Headline’s ‘gunbattle’ suggests mutual fight, but bandits fired sporadically to cause panic, killed vice principal … then abducted girls … not a firefight.”
Another commentator, Jerry Jacoral, called the wording dismissive: “How do you describe the abduction of students and the killing of teachers as a gun battle? This is terrorism, clear and simple.”
Obi Nna questioned who BBC thinks the attackers were battling against: “The students and teachers had guns and were trained to fight? … It’s so insensitive.”
Osaro (PhD) went further, accusing the BBC of softening the story: “Don’t tell me BBC is supporting the terrorists with media headlines.”
Robby Chibueze insisted on more accurate language: “Fulani terrorists aka Bandits abduct 25 school girls, kill vice principal …”
Many Nigerians expressed deep sadness and frustration beyond just the wording, criticising how the attack underscored a growing security crisis. Christopher I. warned: “A teacher is gone and 25 girls in captivity … When will the world intervene?”
Others pointed to the government’s failure to protect its citizens. Bassey Fa lamented: “Nigeria is now gaining global traction in the negative because our leaders failed … at protecting lives and properties.”
As security agencies step up efforts to track down the kidnappers and rescue the abducted girls, public anger remains sharply focused on both the severity of the attack and how international media covers such events, with many insisting that language matters, especially in the context of terrorism.