President Bola Tinubu has welcomed the release of the 24 schoolgirls who were abducted in Maga, a community in Sakaba Local Government Area of Kebbi State. The girls were taken by terrorists in a dawn attack on November 17, shortly after a military detachment guarding the school reportedly left the premises. Their release has brought relief to families, community members, and government officials who have been deeply worried since the incident.
The attack in Kebbi State is the latest in a series of kidnappings targeting schools and rural communities, a trend that continues to raise concerns about insecurity across Nigeria. The abduction immediately triggered nationwide attention because it came years after the 2014 Chibok tragedy, which drew global condemnation and highlighted the vulnerability of schools in remote areas. Although the government has introduced the Safe Schools Initiative and other measures to protect learners, kidnappers have continued to exploit security gaps.
Following the Kebbi abduction, similar incidents were reported in Eruku, a community in Kwara State, and Papiri in Niger State. These copycat kidnappings deepened fears that criminal groups may be coordinating attacks or taking advantage of weak security presence in rural communities.
Relief came on Sunday when all 38 victims kidnapped in Eruku were reported to have been freed. On the same day, the chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger State announced that 50 of the missing students from a Catholic school in the state had been found in their parents’ homes. According to CAN, some of the children had fled during the attack and later made their way back without immediately contacting the authorities, which created confusion over the actual number of missing students.
The President’s spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, said Tinubu applauded the security agencies for their work in securing the release of the Kebbi schoolgirls and the victims in other states. He noted that the President recognised the efforts of the military, police, and local security volunteers who helped track the attackers and rescue the victims.
In a statement shared through Onanuga, President Tinubu expressed his relief that all the 24 girls from Kebbi had been accounted for. He urged security operatives to intensify their operations to ensure that every remaining abducted student in other parts of the country is rescued without delay.
“I am relieved that all the 24 girls have been accounted for. Now, we must put as a matter of urgency more boots on the ground in the vulnerable areas to avert further incidents of kidnapping,” the President said. He added that his administration would provide all necessary support to strengthen the fight against terrorism and kidnapping.
Nigeria has faced repeated waves of school kidnappings over the past decade, beginning with the abduction of over 270 schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State, by Boko Haram in 2014. This was followed by kidnappings in Dapchi, Kankara, Jangebe, Tegina, Kuriga, and other communities. These incidents have forced many schools, particularly in the northern part of the country, to shut down or operate under constant fear.
In recent years, both state and federal governments have launched several security operations aimed at eliminating bandits and terrorist groups operating across the North-West and North-Central. However, many rural communities still lack adequate protection. Residents often say that attackers move freely through forests, hill regions, and farmlands where government presence is limited.
President Tinubu’s call for “more boots on the ground” reflects growing pressure on his administration to address the rising security challenges. Since taking office in May 2023, Tinubu has repeatedly promised to prioritise national security and restructure the security architecture. His government has approved funds for equipment procurement and pushed for better collaboration among the armed forces, police, and intelligence agencies.
Parents of the rescued Kebbi schoolgirls have expressed gratitude for the efforts made to bring back their daughters, but many say they still live in fear. Some community leaders in Kebbi, Kwara, and Niger states have urged the government to establish permanent security bases in vulnerable communities instead of temporary patrols that can leave gaps, as was reported in the Kebbi school attack.
While the release of the girls has brought hope, many Nigerians are calling for long-term solutions that address the root causes of insecurity, including poverty, joblessness, weak policing, and limited access to education. Analysts note that without community engagement and sustained military pressure, kidnappers may continue to strike.
For now, the focus is on the safe return of all remaining abducted students and the assurance that schools remain safe places for learning. As President Tinubu emphasised, “My government will offer all the assistance needed to achieve this.”
