Nigerian security forces are ramping up efforts to locate 25 schoolgirls abducted during an early-morning raid at their school in Maga town, Kebbi State. The attack, which occurred at approximately 4 a.m. local time (03:00 GMT) on Monday, involved heavily armed gunmen on motorcycles in what authorities describe as a well-coordinated assault.
“We must find these children. Act decisively and professionally on all intelligence. Success is not optional,” said Lieutenant-General Waidi Shaibu, Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, urging troops to leave “no stone unturned” in the search.
Details of the Attack
According to police reports, the gunmen engaged in a firefight with school guards before scaling the perimeter fence and abducting students. Tragically, the school’s vice principal was killed during the attack.
No group has claimed responsibility, and the motive behind the abduction remains unclear. Security forces immediately launched operations to comb nearby forests, a common hiding place for armed gangs, while patrols were dispatched along major roads leading to the school.
Government and Military Response
Kebbi Governor Nasir Idris visited the school on Monday, assuring families and the public of sustained rescue efforts. Lieutenant-General Waidi Shaibu personally met with soldiers in the area, ordering intelligence-driven operations and relentless day-and-night pursuit of the abductors.
“You must continue day and night fighting,” Shaibu said, emphasizing the urgency and importance of the mission.
This recent abduction marks the second mass school raid in Kebbi State in four years. In June 2021, bandits kidnapped over 100 students and staff from a government college. Many were released over a two-year period after ransom negotiations, though some were forced into early marriages and returned with children.
Historical Context: Boko Haram and School Abductions
Nigeria has a long and tragic history of school abductions, particularly by the militant group Boko Haram. More than 1,500 students have been kidnapped nationwide since April 14, 2014, when Boko Haram abducted 276 girls from Chibok.
In March 2024, security forces rescued over 130 schoolchildren after two weeks in captivity in Kaduna State. Despite sporadic rescues, abductions continue to pose a severe threat to child education and community safety in northern Nigeria.
International Reactions and Controversy
While Kebbi State police clarified that the abducted children were all Muslim, some supporters of US President Donald Trump have seized on the incident to claim that Christians in Nigeria are under attack.
“While we don’t have all the details on this horrific attack, we know that the attack occurred in a Christian enclave in Northern Nigeria,” Republican Representative Riley Moore wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Trump has controversially threatened to invade Nigeria “guns-a-blazing”, citing what right-wing US lawmakers describe as a “Christian genocide.” The Nigerian government has firmly rejected these claims, noting that the country’s complex security crises have disproportionately affected Muslim communities as well.
Ongoing Security Challenges in Nigeria
The repeated abductions highlight Nigeria’s ongoing struggle with armed banditry, militant groups, and terrorism, particularly in the north and northwest regions. Security forces continue to coordinate military operations, intelligence gathering, and community patrols to prevent further attacks and safeguard vulnerable children.
“Success is not optional,” Shaibu reiterated, underscoring the critical need to rescue the abducted schoolgirls and restore public confidence.
Conclusion
The abduction of 25 schoolgirls in Kebbi State is the latest in a long line of attacks on educational institutions in northern Nigeria. Authorities have promised relentless pursuit and intelligence-driven operations to ensure the safe return of the children. Meanwhile, international attention and controversial political reactions have added a complex layer to an already dire security situation.
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