Late Sunday night, the quiet community of Maga in Kebbi State’s Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area was violently shaken when armed gunmen stormed the Government Girls Secondary School, unleashing terror on students and staff. The attack, which occurred under the cover of darkness, resulted in the abduction of multiple female students and the tragic killing of the school’s vice principal.
Residents described the chaotic scene as one filled with screams, sporadic gunfire, and frantic attempts by students to flee for safety. The incident has plunged the community into fear and mourning, with parents anxiously awaiting updates about the fate of their children.
In the aftermath of the raid, the Federal Government reassured the public of its commitment to rescuing the abducted girls. The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, issued an official statement through his verified X handle, announcing the government’s immediate response under the title, “FG vows swift rescue of abducted Kebbi schoolgirls, reaffirms duty to protect citizens.”
Idris stated that the government shares deeply in the pain of the victims and their families and is fully committed to ensuring the safe return of the girls who were taken by the armed bandits.
In the statement, Idris emphasized that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu considers the protection of Nigerians—particularly schoolchildren—to be a solemn and non-negotiable duty of the State. He noted that the President has been fully briefed on the attack and has directed all relevant security agencies to take decisive and coordinated action.
The minister’s words underscored the seriousness with which the government views this latest assault on one of the nation’s educational institutions, reinforcing that safeguarding students remains central to national security priorities.
The minister did not hold back in condemning the attack, describing it as “reprehensible” and wholly unacceptable. He stressed that security and intelligence agencies have received clear and urgent directives to locate the abducted students and dismantle the criminal networks responsible.
“We will not relent until these students are safely returned and the perpetrators face justice,” the statement added, reflecting the government’s firm stance against the increasing threats posed by armed groups across parts of northern Nigeria.
Idris further highlighted ongoing efforts to prevent the recurrence of such devastating attacks on schools. He explained that strengthening internal security remains a top priority for the Federal Government.
As part of this renewed commitment, the government is recalibrating the nation’s military, policing, and intelligence capabilities, aiming to prevent attacks more effectively and respond with greater speed whenever threats emerge. These measures reflect a broader strategy to modernize and reinforce national security architecture.
The minister also noted that Nigeria is not acting in isolation in its bid to curb terrorism and banditry. The country is collaborating closely with regional and international partners, including ECOWAS, the African Union, and the Multinational Joint Task Force, to secure borders and disrupt criminal networks.
These alliances, he said, form part of a wider effort to tackle cross-border threats and reduce the operational capacity of armed groups who frequently exploit porous borders and remote hideouts.
In addition to the Federal Government’s statement, the Kebbi State Police Command provided detailed confirmation of the incident. According to the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Nafiu Abubakar, the bandits abducted a total of 25 female students during the raid. He revealed that police tactical units, alongside military personnel and local vigilantes, had already been deployed to track the attackers and secure the safe release of the abducted girls.
In his statement, Abubakar described the attack as highly coordinated, noting that the armed bandits arrived at the school around 4 a.m. on November 17, 2025. They were heavily armed and fired sporadically as they advanced into the school compound, overwhelming security personnel on duty.
Despite engaging the attackers in a gun duel, the police units were unable to prevent the bandits from scaling the school’s perimeter fence and carrying out the mass abduction from the students’ hostel.
Tragically, the police confirmed that the school’s vice principal, identified as Malam Hassan Makuku, was shot dead during the confrontation. Another staff member, Ali Shehu, sustained a gunshot injury in his right hand.
Makuku’s death has struck a painful chord within the community, where he was widely known as a dedicated educator and protector of students. Many residents have expressed deep sorrow over the loss, offering prayers for his soul and consoling his grieving family.
CSP Abubakar noted that security forces were currently combing nearby forests and known bandit routes with the goal of locating the abductors’ hideout.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Bello M. Sani, reassured residents of the command’s unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property. He appealed to the public to remain calm, vigilant, and supportive of law enforcement operations as efforts continue to restore safety to the region.
The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, also issued a strong condemnation of the attack, describing it as both unacceptable and deeply troubling. Matawalle called for an urgent, collaborative response from all security agencies to ensure the safe release of the abducted schoolgirls.
In his statement, signed by the Ministry of Defence spokesperson, Enderline Chukwu, the minister affirmed that President Tinubu had directed security apparatus in the state to immediately swing into action.
Matawalle extended heartfelt condolences to the family of Vice Principal Makuku and to all those affected by the brutal attack. He urged residents of the community to remain calm and continue their daily activities while security forces intensify their operations. In an emotional close to his message, he prayed to Allah to grant Makuku mercy and eternal peace, and to comfort his family and all those grieving the tragic loss.
The attack has sent shockwaves through the Danko/Wasagu community, where the fear of further violence weighs heavily on families. Parents of the abducted girls are reportedly in distress, gathered in groups around the school premises and local security posts, desperately seeking information. Many described a sense of helplessness and emotional torment as they await news about their daughters’ whereabouts, holding onto hope that government efforts will yield positive results.
Beyond the immediate tragedy, the abduction reinforces ongoing concerns about the vulnerability of schools in northern Nigeria to attacks by bandits and insurgents. The region has witnessed a troubling pattern of school raids, resulting in mass abductions that disrupt education and undermine public confidence.
This latest incident adds to the growing list of assaults targeting educational institutions, exacerbating fears among residents and prompting renewed calls for stronger security measures.