The 24 schoolgirls abducted by bandits from Government Girls Secondary School, Maga, in Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State, have been rescued, bringing relief to families and renewed attention to school security in the region.
The announcement was made on Tuesday evening by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy. According to him, the President praised the security agencies for their efforts in securing the girls’ freedom and urged them to intensify operations to rescue other students still held by armed groups.
Expressing relief, President Tinubu said, “I am relieved that all the 24 girls have been accounted for. Now, we must urgently deploy more boots on the ground in vulnerable areas to prevent further kidnappings. My government will provide all necessary support to achieve this.”
The girls were taken last Monday when bandits invaded their school hostel and abducted the 24 female students, an incident that sparked national outrage and renewed calls for stronger security measures in rural schools—particularly in the North-West, where banditry remains pervasive.
Their rescue marks an important success for ongoing counter-banditry operations, though authorities acknowledge that broader efforts must continue to safeguard educational institutions across the region.
