Tinubu orders immediate rescue of 25 abducted Kebbi Schoolgirls

President Bola Tinubu has directed security agencies to begin an immediate rescue operation for the 25 female students abducted from Government Girls Secondary School, Maga, in the Danko-Wasagu area of Kebbi State.

The victims were kidnapped during an early-morning attack on Monday, during which gunmen killed the school’s Vice Principal, Hassan Makuku. A security guard, Ali Shehu, also sustained gunshot injuries to his right hand. The Kebbi State Police Command, through its spokesperson, Nafi’u Kotarkoshi, confirmed the incident and said a manhunt for the attackers was already in progress.

In a statement released on Monday, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said President Tinubu strongly condemned the assault, describing it as a reprehensible attack on innocent students and school officials.

According to Idris, the President reaffirmed that protecting every Nigerian—especially schoolchildren—remains a core responsibility of the state. He said Tinubu has given “clear directives” to security and intelligence agencies to locate and safely rescue the abducted girls while ensuring that those behind the attack are apprehended and prosecuted.

“The Federal Government will not relent until this objective is achieved,” Idris said, adding that internal security remains a top priority for the administration. He noted that the government is upgrading the country’s military, policing, and intelligence systems to better prevent and respond to security threats.

Idris also highlighted Nigeria’s ongoing security collaboration with ECOWAS, the African Union, and the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) to strengthen borders and dismantle terrorist and criminal networks.

He urged Nigerians to remain calm and assured the public that security agencies are working tirelessly to resolve the situation.