Nigeria’s president, Bola Tinubu, has confirmed that all 24 schoolgirls abducted from the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State, have been freed. The president shared the update on Tuesday, ending days of fear and anxiety for families and communities in the northwest.
Only one student escaped during the attack on November 17. The remaining 24 girls were rescued, though authorities have not revealed how the operation unfolded. President Tinubu expressed relief and called for stronger security in areas vulnerable to kidnappings.
Girls Freed After November 17 Abduction in Kebbi State
The attack happened early on November 17 when armed men stormed the all-girls secondary school. Twenty-five students were taken, but one escaped almost immediately. School principal Musa Rabi Magaji confirmed that all the remaining students were now out of captivity and under government care.
Authorities have not provided details about the girls’ physical condition. Their families, however, continue to wait for official updates. Many parents spent several days in deep fear, hoping for good news.
One father, Abdulkarim Abdullahi, whose two daughters aged 12 and 13 were among the abducted, shared his relief. “The past few days have been difficult for me and my family, especially their mother,” he said. “I can’t wait to see them in good health.”
Tinubu Calls for Stronger Security Measures Across the Region
President Tinubu welcomed the news with relief but stressed the urgency of preventing future kidnappings. He said the recent series of attacks shows a clear need for more security deployment across vulnerable zones in the north.
“I am relieved that all the 24 girls have been accounted for,” he stated. “Now, we must put more boots on the ground in vulnerable areas to avert further incidents of kidnapping.”
The president has faced increased pressure in recent days as multiple kidnappings struck different states. He had even paused G20-related travel plans as a result of the crisis.
Wave of Kidnappings Continues in Other Nigerian States
The Kebbi incident was not an isolated attack. Only days earlier, armed men stormed Saint Mary’s School in Niger State and abducted more than 300 students and staff. Fifty of those students later escaped, but many remain missing.
Additionally, gunmen kidnapped 10 people on Tuesday in Isapa, a community in Kwara State. The attack came just days after 38 worshippers were taken from a church in a nearby area. Those worshippers have since been released, according to local authorities.
Security analysts say criminal gangs—known locally as bandits—often target schools, travelers and rural communities to demand ransom. Many of these groups formed after years of conflict between herders and farmers, driven by dwindling land and water resources.
Nigeria’s Growing Security Challenge and Long History of School Abductions
Nigeria has battled school abductions for more than a decade. Since the Chibok kidnapping in 2014, at least 1,500 students have been kidnapped across the country. Many have been released only after ransom payments, though authorities rarely confirm such details.
Experts warn that armed groups view schools as strategic targets. Attacks draw nationwide attention and often weaken trust in government institutions. Despite repeated promises of reform, the cycle continues.
While international voices—including former U.S. President Donald Trump—claim Christians are being targeted, attacks have affected both Christian and Muslim communities. Arrests remain rare due to limited security presence in remote areas.
The release of the Kebbi schoolgirls brings momentary relief. However, the broader insecurity facing Nigerian schools remains a pressing national issue.
