Twenty-four schoolgirls abducted in Maga, Kebbi State, have regained their freedom, the Presidency announced on Tuesday.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Bola Tinubu welcomed the safe return of the girls and commended security agencies for their “tireless efforts” in securing their release. He urged the military and other security formations to intensify operations to rescue other students still being held by insurgents.
“I am relieved that all the 24 girls have been accounted for. Now, we must, as a matter of urgency, put more boots on the ground in vulnerable areas to avert further incidents of kidnapping. My government will offer all the assistance needed to achieve this,” Tinubu said.
‘No Ransom Paid’ — Governor Idris
Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris also confirmed the release of the schoolgirls, stressing that neither the state nor Federal Government paid ransom to secure their freedom.
“No ransom was paid. The Kebbi State Government did not pay a kobo, and neither did the Federal Government. The rescue was achieved solely through the efforts of the security agencies,” he stated.
He added that the children would be reunited with their families on Wednesday and thanked President Tinubu for directing security agencies to prioritise their rescue.
How the Attack Happened
The girls were abducted on November 17 when terrorists stormed their school shortly after a military detachment reportedly left the premises. The attackers also killed the school’s Vice Principal, Malam Hassan Makuku.
The Kebbi incident sparked similar attacks in Eruku, Kwara State, and Papiri in Niger State. All 38 victims kidnapped in Eruku were freed on Sunday, while the Christian Association of Nigeria in Niger State confirmed that 50 students earlier reported missing had been located in their homes.
List of the Abducted Students
Three days after the Kebbi abduction, the Chairman of Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area, Hussaini Aliyu, released the names of the abducted schoolgirls:
Senior Secondary School 2A
- Fatima Sani Zimri
- Hafsat Ibrahim
- Nana Firdausi Jibril
- Masauda Yakubu Romo
Senior Secondary School 2B
5. Hauwa Saleh
6. Hauwau Umar Imam
Senior Secondary School 3A & 3B
7. Salima Garba Umar
8. Salima Sani Zimri
9. Amina G. Umar
10. Rashida Muhammad Dingu
11. Saliha Umar
12. Aisha Usman
13. Jamila Iliyasu
14. Maryam Illiyasu
15. Najaatu Abdullahi
16. Zainab Kolo
Junior Secondary School 3A
17. Surraya Tukur
18. Hafsat Umar Yalmo
19. Maryam Usman
20. Amina Illiyasu
21. Ikilima Suleman
Junior Secondary School 2
22. Khadija Nazifi
23. Hauwa’u Iliyasu
24. Hauwa’u Lawali
25. Ummu Kulsum Abdulkarim
A Troubling Pattern
The Kebbi, Niger, and Kwara kidnappings mark a resurgence of mass abductions that have plagued northern Nigeria for over a decade.
Past major incidents include:
- 317 schoolgirls abducted in Jangebe, Zamfara (2021)
- 41 people abducted at Government Science College Kagara, Niger (2021)
- 303 students kidnapped in Kankara, Katsina (2020)
- 110 girls abducted in Dapchi, Yobe (2018)
- 276 Chibok schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram (2014)
The latest rescue adds to ongoing national efforts to curb school-based attacks and restore safety across learning environments.
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2025-11-24