BREAKING: 24 Kebbi Schoolgirls Regain Freedom Following Terrorist Abduction

Twenty-four schoolgirls kidnapped from Government Girls Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State, have reportedly been rescued, according to security sources who spoke with TheCable on Tuesday. Details of the operation that led to their recovery are still unclear, but officials are expected to release a formal statement soon. The abduction, which drew nationwide condemnation, renewed fears about the safety of students in northern Nigeria amid recurring school attacks. On November 17, terrorists stormed the Maga school in the early hours, abducting an unspecified number of girls and killing a staff member. A school guard was also injured. The gunmen reportedly struck around 5:52 a.m., opening fire as the students prepared for morning activities. Witness accounts indicated that the attackers seized several girls and triggered widespread panic across the community.

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Tinubu Orders 24-Hour Security Sweep of Kwara, Kebbi, and Niger Forests Amid Surge in Terror Attacks

President Bola Tinubu has directed a comprehensive security operation across the forests of Kwara State, extending the measure to Kebbi and Niger States in response to a recent spike in terrorist attacks and mass abductions. The President instructed the Air Force to intensify aerial surveillance over remote forest areas suspected of harboring terrorists, as part of a broader effort to curb kidnappings and violent incidents. According to a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Sunday Dare, the operation will include 24-hour monitoring and close coordination with ground security units. “This directive also covers the Kebbi and Niger states axis, where many victims are expected to be rescued,” the statement noted. Local communities have been called upon to promptly report any unusual movements or activities to support the work of security forces.

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Kebbi Governor Demands Explanation From Military Over Troop Withdrawal Before School Abduction

Kebbi Governor Demands Explanation From Military Over Troop Withdrawal Before School Abduction

Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris has demanded answers from military authorities over the withdrawal of troops from Government Girls’ Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, shortly before students and staff were abducted. The governor expressed serious concern that security personnel left the school despite prior intelligence alerts provided by the state government. He made the comments while receiving Nigeria Labour Congress President, Joe Ajaero, who visited the state in solidarity. According to Idris, soldiers reportedly left the school around 3:00 a.m., and the attack occurred less than 45 minutes later. “As a responsive government, when we received intelligence about a possible attack, we convened a security meeting. The agencies assured us that all was well and that personnel would be deployed to the school. The military was deployed, but they withdrew by 3 a.m., and by 3:45 a.m., the incident happened,” the governor said. He added that the state has called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances behind the troop withdrawal. “Who authorised the military to withdraw? How did security personnel leave at such a critical time? That is our concern. We have asked the military to investigate and identify who gave that order,” Idris said. The governor noted that the withdrawal was at odds with earlier assurances of strengthened protection for schools in high-risk border communities frequently targeted by bandits. He assured that both the state and federal governments are making every effort to secure the safe return of the abducted students. “Our duty as leaders is to ensure that our daughters come back home safely, and we are doing everything possible to achieve that,” he said.

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Kebbi Police Warn Against Protests Over Abducted Schoolgirls

The Kebbi State Police Command has cautioned groups and civil society organisations against staging any protest over the recent abduction of students from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, warning that the current security climate is too unstable for public demonstrations. In a statement issued on Friday, the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Nafiu Kotarkoshi, said intelligence reports showed that some groups and NGOs were already mobilising to begin protests “any moment from today.” He noted that while the command fully understands the distress felt by families and the wider public, holding protests at this time could heighten tension and disrupt the ongoing rescue mission. “The current situation is dicey for any protest or rally to hold, as it has the potential of instigating violence in the state. While we remain deeply concerned about the regrettable incident, it is misguided and counterproductive for any protest to hold, as it will undermine the unwavering commitment of the combined security team working tirelessly to rescue the kidnapped schoolgirls unhurt,” the statement read. The police command reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property, assuring residents that security agencies are intensifying efforts to safely recover the abducted students. Kotarkoshi urged members of the public to stay calm, support security operations, and report any suspicious individuals or movements to the nearest police station. The students were abducted earlier in the week when armed men stormed the school in the Danko-Wasagu area, sparking nationwide concern and fresh calls for improved security in schools across the North-West.

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Tinubu Sends Defence Minister Matawalle to Kebbi to Lead Rescue of 25 Abducted Schoolgirls

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has deployed the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, to Kebbi State to coordinate efforts to rescue 25 schoolgirls abducted earlier this week. The girls were kidnapped around 4 a.m. on Monday from the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Sakaba Local Government Area. Matawalle, former governor of neighbouring Zamfara State, is expected to arrive in Birnin Kebbi on Friday to oversee the rescue operations and provide direct updates to the President. A statement from Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, said Matawalle’s appointment draws on his experience managing banditry and kidnappings during his tenure as governor between 2019 and 2023. Notably, he supervised the response to the February 2021 abduction of 279 girls from Government Girls Science Secondary School, Jangebe, all of whom were released after several days of negotiations and security pressure. President Tinubu had postponed trips to Johannesburg for the G20 Summit and Luanda for the AU-EU Summit to remain in Nigeria and receive briefings on the Kebbi abductions and Tuesday’s deadly attack on worshippers at Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State. The President expressed concern over the recent surge in attacks on schools and religious institutions, ordering heightened security across vulnerable areas. Matawalle’s deployment underscores the administration’s determination to treat the crisis as a national emergency, with direct, high-level coordination. Security forces have intensified operations in forests along Kebbi, Zamfara, and Niger states, responding to an increase in kidnappings and attacks targeting schools for ransom in the Northwest and North-Central regions.

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Olamide Condemns Rising Insecurity, Urges Unity Amid Kebbi Kidnappings And Kwara Church Attack

Nigerian rapper Olamide has voiced his deep concern over the escalating insecurity in the country in a heartfelt message on Instagram. He wrote: “Our nation has been hit by an alarming wave of one tragedy after another these past few days, and honestly, our hearts are broken. We are struggling to process the devastating attack at the CAC in Kwara, even as we mourn the loss of the AFUED NYSC corps members. Our worry is deep and constant, even as we hear that there have been more abductions. In the face of these heinous acts, our nation must draw upon its strength and unwavering resolve to stand together against those who seek to divide us. We as a people must unite to work and pray together for the safe return of the promising young minds kidnapped in Kebbi. I am sending every ounce of peace and strength to the families grieving, and prayers that all the abducted persons are brought home safely. These tragedies are a painful reminder that the safety and security of Nigerians must never be compromised. The right to life and education is fundamental. This can’t be our reality. Peace should be a certainty, not just a desperate prayer.” Olamide expressed heartbreak over recent tragedies, including the attack on the CAC in Kwara and the deaths of AFUED NYSC corps members, while also highlighting the ongoing abductions of young Nigerians. He urged citizens to stand united, work together, and pray for the safe return of those kidnapped, stressing that the country’s security must remain a priority. He further underscored that these incidents are a reminder that the right to life and education is fundamental, emphasizing that peace should be a guaranteed reality, not just a hope. Extending support to grieving families, Olamide’s message calls for national solidarity, vigilance, and compassion in the face of rising insecurity.

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Kebbi Releases Names Of 24 Abducted Schoolgirls As Massive Rescue Operation Intensifies

Authorities have released the identities of 24 schoolgirls abducted during the attack on Government Girls’ Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State. The abductions occurred on 16 November 2025, sparking a large-scale security operation to rescue the missing students. The release of the names comes as search teams continue combing forested areas, with one girl escaping during the assault and two others reportedly making their way home afterward. The identified students are listed below: Senior Secondary School (SSS) 3A & 3B Salima Garba Umar Senchi Salima Sani Zirmi Amina G. Umar Rashida Mohammed Dungu Saliha Umar Aisha Usman Jamila Ilyasu Maryam Ilyasu Naja-atu Abdullahi Zaniab Kolo SSS 2A 11. Faitma Sani Zimri 12. Hafsat Ibrahim 13. Nana Fiddausi Jibrin 14. Mas’uda Yakubu Tomo SSS 2B 15. Hauwa’u Saleh Junior Secondary School (JSS) 3A 16. Surayya Tukur 17. Hafsat Umar Yalmo 18. Mary Usman 19. Amina Ilyasu 20. Ikilima Suleiman JSS 2 21. Khadija Nazifi 22. Hauwa’u Ilyasu 23. Hauwa’u Lawali 24. Ummulkursim Abdul-Karim Security officials confirm that specialised police and military units have been deployed around the region, with intensified intelligence gathering and community patrols aimed at tracking the kidnappers. The attack also claimed the life of the school’s Vice Principal, Hassan Makuku, underscoring the growing danger faced by educational institutions in northern Nigeria, where mass abductions have become disturbingly frequent. The Federal Government has declared the incident a national emergency, and President Bola Tinubu has ordered all available security and intelligence assets to be mobilized for the recovery of the girls.

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Davido Condemns Kwara Church Attack, Prays For Victims And Kebbi Schoolgirls

Nigerian singer Davido has expressed profound sorrow following the recent attack on a church in Kwara State, urging Nigerians to unite against the growing wave of violence in the country. Sharing his reaction on X, he also linked the incident to the ongoing abduction of schoolgirls in Kebbi State, calling for immediate action to protect innocent lives. “My heart goes out to the young girls kidnapped in Kebbi State and to their families. No family deserves this pain. As Nigerians, we must stand together in unity and continue working towards a country where every child can grow up in safety and hope,” he wrote. Davido also addressed the tragic attack on the Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara, where armed gunmen stormed an evening service. Reports indicate that at least three worshippers were killed and several others, including the pastor, were abducted. Security forces and local vigilantes responded swiftly, forcing the attackers to flee, and soldiers have been deployed to restore calm in the community. “I am deeply saddened by the tragic attack on the church in Kwara State. I pray for the families who lost loved ones and for everyone affected by this heartbreaking incident. These acts of violence must never become our norm,” he said. He urged Nigerians to assist in ongoing rescue efforts, particularly for the kidnapped girls in Kebbi State, emphasizing that credible information could make a crucial difference. “Everything must be done to bring the Kebbi girls home safely. I urge anyone with credible information to come forward in whatever safe and responsible way they can, so it can support ongoing efforts to rescue them,” he added. Davido concluded his statement with a prayer for protection, comfort, and justice: “May God watch over the girls until they return. May He comfort the grieving families in Kwara, bring peace to our nation, and put every sponsor of violence and disorder to shame.” He signed off as David Adeleke OON (Davido), captioning the post with a simple but powerful “💔🇳🇬.” By speaking out, Davido highlights the urgent need for unity, accountability, and safety across Nigeria. His message not only mourns the victims but also calls for collective action to prevent such tragedies and protect vulnerable communities from future attacks.

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