Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, has assured parents of the 25 students abducted from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, that his administration is fully committed to rescuing their children and restoring safety in the affected community. The governor gave the assurance on Monday during a visit to Maga, in Danko Wasagu Local Government Area, where he met with security agencies, traditional rulers, parents, and other stakeholders following the attack.
The visit came hours after armed bandits stormed the school, abducted the students, and killed the institution’s Vice Principal, Malami Hassan Yakubu Makuku. The incident has again raised concerns about the rising insecurity in parts of northern Nigeria, especially attacks targeting schools and vulnerable communities.
In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yahaya Sarki, Governor Idris described the attack as “deeply unfortunate” and expressed sadness over the killing of the vice principal. He said his government was working closely with security agencies to ensure the safe return of the abducted girls.
“The unfortunate incident has already occurred, and we came to see things for ourselves,” the governor said after meeting with families of the victims. “We met with the parents whose children were abducted to give them confidence and to assure them that we will do everything possible to ensure the safe rescue of their children.”
Governor Idris’s visit was aimed at calming tensions in the community and giving hope to parents still reeling from shock and uncertainty. Many of the affected families gathered at the school premises and at the homes of the abducted girls, anxiously awaiting news from authorities.
The governor said he understood the fear and pain the parents were going through and promised that the state government would not rest until the children were found and returned home safely.
“We have also urged them to remain confident, as the security agencies are doing the needful,” he said. “That is the essence of coming to Maga—to support our people, give them encouragement, and strengthen their hope.”
Security personnel, including soldiers and police officers, have been deployed to the area. Although officials did not release full details of the ongoing operations, sources in the community said security teams were already combing nearby forests and tracking possible escape routes used by the bandits.
The abduction in Maga adds to a troubling pattern of attacks on schools in the northern region over the past decade. Armed groups have targeted educational institutions in Zamfara, Kaduna, Niger, Katsina, and Kebbi states, often kidnapping students for ransom or to exert pressure on communities.
These attacks have created fear among parents and discouraged many from sending their children—especially girls—to school. In some communities, schools have been forced to close or operate under heavy security.
Nigeria still struggles with a very high number of out-of-school children, particularly in the North-West and North-East. According to UNICEF, insecurity remains one of the major barriers to education in the region, alongside poverty and cultural challenges. Many education experts worry that the repeated attacks could worsen the situation and roll back years of progress aimed at improving enrolment.
The attack in Kebbi is also a painful reminder of similar incidents such as the 2014 Chibok abduction, the Kankara schoolboys’ kidnap in 2020, and the Tegina Islamic school abductions in 2021. Although some students in past cases were rescued, others remained missing for long periods, leaving families traumatized.
Traditional rulers and community elders in Maga have appealed to the government to strengthen security in rural schools, many of which operate with little or no protection. Residents say that although security operatives respond after attacks, the absence of permanent security posts leaves many communities exposed.
Local leaders who met with the governor during his visit urged him to ensure that schools across the state are better protected to prevent future attacks. They also asked for more support for families who have lost loved ones or had their children abducted.
The killing of the vice principal has further deepened the community’s grief. According to teachers in the area, Makuku was known for his commitment to the welfare of students and often worked late to ensure school activities ran smoothly. His death has been described as a major loss for the institution and the education sector in the state.
Governor Idris said his administration would continue working closely with federal security agencies, including the military and police, to strengthen security around all schools in the state. He added that his government is reviewing strategies to ensure that rural communities do not remain easy targets for bandits.
“We will keep working until we achieve a safe environment for our people,” he said. “Our children must be able to go to school without fear.”
As the search for the abducted students continues, the governor urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with security operatives by providing useful information. He expressed confidence that the girls would be rescued safely.
