Society Editor
By Tolu Adesuwa Igiehon
What began as an ordinary night at Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School, Maga, turned into one of the darkest moments in Kebbi State’s recent history. Before dawn on Monday, armed bandits swept into the school premises, killed the Vice Principal, Hassan Makuku, and abducted 25 students—leaving behind a trail of fear, shattered doors, and traumatised families.
A Silent Night Broken by Gunfire
Students say they woke up to the sound of frantic footsteps and gunshots echoing across the school compound.
“It felt like a nightmare we couldn’t wake up from,” one of the girls recounted quietly.
The attackers reportedly split into groups: one moved toward the staff quarters where the Vice Principal lived, while another stormed the dormitories.
Makuku, who many students described as “a father figure,” was shot dead in his home.
Hostel Matron Survives by Seconds
The hostel matron, Hajia Maryam Bello, revealed that she had only moments to react when she spotted figures surrounding the building.
“One of them called my name and begged me to open the door, pretending to be a colleague,” she said.
Instead, she bolted the door and hid in a corner as the assailants tried repeatedly to break in. When the door wouldn’t give way, they left her and turned to the girls’ rooms.
Parents Race Through the Dark
Across the village, parents ran toward the school as soon as word spread. Many arrived barefoot, some still holding prayer beads from the early morning prayers.
Abubakar, a father of two students at the school, said he saw chaos everywhere:
“Some girls were crying, some were hiding. My eldest daughter wasn’t there. They took her.”
Another parent, Mallam Lawali, said his wife collapsed when she heard that their 12-year-old daughter, Hawau, was among the abducted.
“We don’t know where to turn. Only God and the government can help us now.”
A Widow’s Agony
The late Vice Principal’s wife told journalists that the attackers first forced their way into their home.
“They killed him in front of me,” she said softly.
She added that the bandits dragged their daughter outside and ordered her to lead them to the students’ hostel. After confirming the location, they let the daughter go and made off with the girls.
A State on High Alert
Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, the Chief of Army Staff, landed in Kebbi on Tuesday and immediately directed an intense search-and-rescue mission under Operation FANSAN YANMA.
“We will not rest until every child is brought home,” he told the troops, urging them to strike with precision and rely heavily on intelligence.
He also met vigilante groups and traditional hunters, asking them to join forces with the military due to their knowledge of the difficult terrain.
Governor Nasir Idris, visibly moved during his visit to the school, promised financial and logistical support for the rescue operation.
“This is a collective fight—and we will win it,” he said.
Government Debunks Withdrawal Rumour
The state government denied rumours circulating online that security officers assigned to the school were withdrawn hours before the attack. Officials described the claim as “a calculated attempt to cause panic.”
Senate Expresses Outrage
The Senate held a heated session over the abduction. Lawmakers lamented that schools remain easy targets despite the government’s commitment to the Safe School Initiative.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio wondered how such a group of armed men could move freely with dozens of children without detection.
Other senators warned that Nigeria was witnessing a resurgence of mass kidnappings reminiscent of Chibok and Dapchi, calling for an overhaul of school security nationwide.
National and Global Reactions
UNICEF issued a strong statement demanding the immediate and unconditional release of the abducted girls and urged the Nigerian government to secure all learning environments.
The Nigerian Bar Association described the attack as “a frightening reminder of how unsafe the country has become,” citing the rise in killings and kidnappings—including the recent ambush that claimed Brigadier-General M. Uba.
First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu also condemned the incident, saying schools must never be turned into hunting grounds for criminals. She urged security agencies to leave no stone unturned.
