In a horrifying and tragic incident that has sent shockwaves across Nigeria, armed bandits stormed the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, located in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State, in the early hours of Monday morning, abducting 25 schoolgirls and killing the school’s vice principal, Hassan Yakubu Makuku. The attack has reignited concerns about the persistent insecurity facing schools in northwestern Nigeria, particularly in states prone to banditry.
The Attack: How It Unfolded
Eyewitnesses and local sources confirmed that the raid occurred at approximately 4:00 AM, while most students were asleep. The assailants, reportedly carrying sophisticated firearms, scaled the school’s perimeter fence and quickly overpowered the security personnel on duty.
Vice Principal Hassan Yakubu Makuku was reportedly shot dead while attempting to confront the attackers, demonstrating extraordinary bravery in the face of imminent danger. A security guard, Ali Shehu, was also injured after sustaining a gunshot wound to his right hand.
The bandits moved swiftly through the school, abducting 25 female students from their hostels before disappearing into nearby forested areas. Community members reported seeing unidentified bodies on the school premises following the attack, highlighting the brutality of the raid.
Response from Security Agencies
Following the abduction, a massive security operation was launched involving the Nigerian Police Force, the military, and local vigilante groups. Operatives have been deployed to track the assailants through the dense forests surrounding the school. Security officials disclosed that the attackers likely used knowledge of the local terrain to evade capture, underscoring the challenges of policing remote and vulnerable areas.
President Bola Tinubu condemned the attack in the strongest terms and ordered the immediate rescue of the abducted students. The Federal Ministry of Information confirmed that all security agencies have been mobilized to ensure a swift and effective rescue operation.
The Human Toll
The tragic incident has left the school community, parents, and the local population in shock and mourning. The killing of the vice principal and the abduction of 25 young girls has not only caused profound grief but has also disrupted the academic and emotional lives of the students. Experts warn that the psychological impact of such attacks can be long-lasting, affecting not only the abducted students but also their classmates and families.
The Bigger Picture: Banditry in Northwestern Nigeria
This attack is part of a disturbing pattern of school kidnappings in northern Nigeria, where bandit groups continue to target educational institutions. Analysts note that despite the presence of military and police checkpoints, the porous terrain and use of forest routes by criminal groups make schools in remote areas particularly vulnerable.
Public Reaction and National Outcry
The abduction has triggered widespread condemnation from civil society groups, education advocates, and concerned citizens. Many have called for urgent measures to prevent the recurrence of such violent incidents in schools. Parents, in particular, have voiced fears over the safety of their children, especially girls attending boarding schools in the northwest.
Community leaders have also pledged cooperation with security agencies to ensure the safe return of the abducted students, while urging the Federal Government to intensify operations against the bandit networks responsible.
Conclusion
The Kebbi school abduction is a stark reminder of the ongoing insecurity in certain regions of Nigeria and the urgent need for effective measures to protect schools, students, and educational staff. As the joint search and rescue operations continue, the nation remains hopeful for the safe recovery of the 25 abducted schoolgirls and justice for Vice Principal Hassan Yakubu Makuku, whose bravery in the face of danger will not be forgotten.
This tragedy also raises critical questions about national security strategies, the protection of vulnerable communities, and the steps required to prevent future attacks. The eyes of the country are firmly fixed on Kebbi as authorities work tirelessly to bring the abducted girls home safely and restore a sense of security to the region.
