Bandits launched a horrific attack on Government Girls’ Comprehensive Senior Secondary School, Maga, in the Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State, leading to the abduction of approximately 25 students and the tragic killing of the school's Vice-Principal. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Monday, November 17, has sent shockwaves across the nation and sparked immediate condemnation from various levels of government.

Reports indicate that the armed attackers, wielding sophisticated weapons, invaded the school around 4:00 am to 5:00 am, opening fire as they forced their way onto the premises. According to Aliyu Yakubu, a resident of Maga, the invasion created widespread panic. During the assault, the Vice-Principal, Hassan Yakubu Makuku, was shot dead while bravely attempting to protect the students. Another staff member, Ali Shehu, sustained a gunshot injury to his right hand. The bandits scaled the school fence and abducted 25 students from their hostel before fleeing to an unknown destination, despite an engagement with police tactical units.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, vehemently condemned the attack, describing it as “unfortunate, gruesome and despicable.” He urgently called on security agencies to mount a swift and coordinated operation to rescue the abducted girls, emphasizing that schools must remain safe havens for children. Tajudeen warned that repeated attacks on educational institutions carry grave implications for the country and must be addressed with utmost urgency. He expressed confidence in the security forces and reaffirmed the House of Representatives’ commitment to supporting efforts aimed at protecting lives and property, especially within schools. The Speaker also extended his deepest commiserations to the victims' families and offered prayers for the safe return of the students.

The Kebbi State Police Command, through its spokesperson, CSP Nafiu Abubakar Kotarkoshi, confirmed the attack, detailing the confrontation between police tactical units and the bandits. Following the incident, the command swiftly deployed additional police tactical squads alongside military personnel and local vigilantes. These joint forces are actively combing the bandits’ routes and nearby forests in a determined effort to rescue the abducted students and bring the perpetrators to justice. Commissioner of Police, CP Bello M. Sani, reiterated the command’s unwavering determination to safeguard the people of Kebbi State and appealed to the public to remain calm, vigilant, and supportive of police operations.

The Kebbi State government is also closely monitoring developments. According to Ahmed Idris, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, the exact number of abducted students is still being verified. Deputy Governor Senator Umar Tafida has been dispatched to the school to assess the situation on behalf of Governor Nasir Idris, who was out of the state at the time. The government assured residents of its commitment to working hand-in-hand with security agencies to ensure the safe return of the students and restore normalcy to the community.

At the federal level, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, expressed deep concern over the abduction, underscoring that safeguarding every Nigerian, particularly schoolchildren, is a core responsibility of the State. He condemned both the attack on the students and the killing of school officials performing their duties. The President has directed security and intelligence agencies to prioritize locating and safely returning the abducted students, as well as ensuring that those responsible are brought to justice. The Federal Government has pledged not to relent until the girls are rescued and is recalibrating its military, policing, and intelligence capabilities to prevent future attacks and improve rapid response to threats. Furthermore, Nigeria is intensifying regional cooperation through ECOWAS, the African Union, and the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) to secure borders and dismantle criminal and terrorist networks. The public has been urged to remain calm and confident in the government’s comprehensive response.