Rights Group Urges Government to Rescue Abducted Kebbi Schoolgirls
A Nigerian rights organisation is calling on the federal government for the immediate and safe release of 25 schoolgirls abducted from a boarding school in Kebbi State.
The Gender Educators Initiative has demanded swift action, stressing the need for both rescue operations and stronger protection for students after the attack at Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area.
According to police, gunmen stormed the school early on Monday around 4 a.m., exchanged fire with security forces, and abducted the girls from their hostel.
During the raid, the school’s vice principal, Malam Hassan Makuku, was killed, and a security guard was wounded.
In response, security agencies have mobilised a combined force, police tactical units, military personnel, and local vigilantes, to comb the surrounding forest and possible escape routes in search of the abducted girls.
The federal government has also pledged to act decisively. Through a statement by the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, the government condemned the “reprehensible” attack and directed security and intelligence agencies to immediately work toward rescuing the girls and bringing the perpetrators to justice.
Bello Matawalle, Minister of State for Defence, similarly called for urgent intervention, saying President Bola Tinubu has ordered security forces to “act decisively and in concert” to free the students.
The rights group warned that without swift and coordinated action, such abductions could continue to put female students at risk and destabilise confidence in the security of schools in the region.