All 24 students abducted from Government Girls Secondary School, Maga, in the Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State, have regained their freedom.
The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed the development in a statement on Tuesday.
According to him, President Tinubu praised the security agencies for their swift efforts and urged them to intensify operations to free other victims still in captivity.
“I am relieved that all the 24 girls have been accounted for. Now, we must urgently deploy more boots on the ground in vulnerable areas to prevent further kidnappings. My government will provide all necessary support to achieve this,” the President said.
PUNCH Online earlier reported that armed bandits invaded the school hostel last Monday and kidnapped 24 female students. Following the incident, Tinubu ordered the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, to relocate to Kebbi and lead the rescue mission.
In the days after the attack, gunmen also raided a Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State, abducting 38 worshippers, while another group kidnapped more than 300 pupils and teachers from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Niger State.
The rising incidents have reignited nationwide calls for stronger security around schools, especially in rural communities across the North-West, where banditry continues to surge.
