President Bola Tinubu has directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to travel to Kebbi State on Wednesday to meet with officials and reassure families after gunmen abducted dozens of students from a government girls’ secondary school.
Tinubu’s spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, said in a statement Tuesday that Shettima will convey the government’s sympathy and assure parents that security agencies are working to secure the girls’ release.
Tinubu also expressed condolences to the military following the deaths of several soldiers, including Brig. Gen. Musa Uba, who was killed during operations against insurgents in Borno State.
“As Commander-in-Chief, I am deeply saddened by the tragic death of our soldiers and officers on active duty,” Tinubu said. He added that he was “pained that heartless terrorists have disrupted the education of innocent schoolgirls” and ordered security forces to act swiftly to bring the students home.
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Tinubu praised Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris for efforts to prevent the kidnapping but condemned the security breach that allowed armed men to seize the girls from their boarding school in the Maga area. He urged communities, especially in high-risk zones, to share intelligence with security agencies.
“Our security forces cannot succeed without the cooperation of local communities,” he said.
The attack occurred shortly after the armed men left the school’s staff quarters. The vice principal, Hassan Makuku, was shot and killed while attempting to shield students.
Police spokesman Nafiu Abubakar confirmed the abduction and said tactical police units, soldiers and local vigilantes had been deployed. Security forces are searching nearby forests for the victims and the attackers.
Governor Idris, through his chief press secretary, said Deputy Governor Umar Tafida had been sent to the school to assess the situation, while the governor receives continuous briefings.
Residents have continued to mourn Makuku, while anxious parents wait for news of their children. Photos from the school show empty dormitories, scattered belongings and abandoned bunk beds after the Sunday night raid.
