Twenty-four schoolgirls abducted from Government Girls Secondary School, Maga in Kebbi State have been rescued on Tuesday.
Details of the rescue operation remain sketchy at the moment, but officials are expected to release a formal announcement later today.
The abduction occurred on November 17, when bandits attacked the school, killing a staff member, injuring a security guard, and abducting 25 female students. Two of the girls reportedly escaped on their own while being led into the bush, according to a BBC report quoting Hussaini Aliyu, an official from Danko Wasagu Local Government Area (LGA).
On November 19, Hussaini Aliyu released the names of all 25 abducted students, organised by class category, in an effort to track and account for the victims.
Following the attack, Kebbi Police Commissioner Bello Sani deployed additional tactical police units alongside military personnel and local vigilante groups. The combined forces conducted coordinated searches of surrounding forests and suspected escape routes to recover the girls and apprehend the bandits.
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Chief of Army Staff, Waidi Shaibu, directed troops under Operation FANSAN YANMA to intensify the search-and-rescue mission, ensuring no effort is spared.
At the federal level, President Bola Tinubu instructed Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, to relocate to Kebbi to oversee and monitor the security response and facilitate the safe release of the students.
The successful rescue of the 24 girls marks a significant relief for families and communities in the area, although one student remains unaccounted for at this time. Security agencies have pledged to continue operations to ensure the remaining girl’s safe return and bring the perpetrators to justice.