The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, on Monday visited Kebbi State and directed troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA to intensify the search-and-rescue operation for 25 students abducted from Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School (GGCSS), Maga, in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area.
The abduction occurred during a violent attack on the school on Sunday night, during which armed bandits killed the school’s vice principal, Malami Hassan Yakubu Makuku, and injured several students as others fled in panic. The incident has sparked national outrage, highlighting the continuing threat posed by banditry to schools in Northern Nigeria.
Lt.-Gen. Shaibu arrived in Kebbi with a delegation of Principal Staff Officers from Army Headquarters. He held an operational meeting with frontline commanders before addressing deployed troops, emphasizing the urgency of rescuing the abducted students.
“You must continue day and night fighting. We must find these children,” the Army Chief told soldiers. “Leverage intelligence for intelligence-based missions. Bandits target soft targets; if they know you are present, they will not attack. You can defeat them.”
He stressed that determination and professionalism were critical in carrying out the operations. “Once you receive intelligence of this nature, act decisively. This is not just about our image; it is about doing our job properly,” Shaibu added.
During the visit, Shaibu also met with local vigilantes and hunters who have been supporting the military operation. He acknowledged their crucial role in providing intelligence and navigating the forested terrain.
“Storm the nooks and crannies of these forests. Soldiers will join you. These criminals aim to scare children from going to school. We will not allow that,” he said, commending their bravery and cooperation.
The Army Chief’s engagement with local security actors underscores the integrated approach of Operation FANSAN YANMA, which combines ground forces, intelligence gathering, and local knowledge to confront banditry in Kebbi and other affected states.
Shaibu also visited the Traditional Ruler of Danko, Alhaji Abubakar Ibrahim Allaje, and the Principal of GGCSS Maga, Hajiya Rabi Musa Magaji. He assured them that the military was fully committed to rescuing the students safely.
“The safety of these children is a national priority, and we are deploying every resource to ensure they return home safely,” he said.
Hajiya Rabi expressed gratitude for the visit, noting that the presence of the Army Chief and his team reassured both school authorities and parents. “Your visit has given us hope. With this level of commitment, our girls will soon return,” she said.
Kebbi State, like several others in Northern Nigeria, has faced repeated attacks by armed bandits targeting schools and communities. These attacks have led to kidnappings for ransom, killings, and widespread fear that threaten education and local livelihoods. Schools, especially in rural areas, are increasingly seen as “soft targets” because they often lack adequate security.
Operation FANSAN YANMA, the military’s current counter-insurgency initiative, was launched to tackle banditry and kidnapping across North-Western Nigeria. The operation combines the Nigerian Army, Air Force, and local security actors, conducting joint ground and aerial patrols to secure communities, disrupt bandit camps, and recover kidnapped victims.
Security sources confirmed that troops, supported by surveillance assets such as drones and reconnaissance aircraft, have expanded search corridors across the forested areas of Danko/Wasagu and neighboring local government areas. The operation aims not only to recover the abducted students but also to disrupt the operational capacity of the bandits in the region.
The abduction at GGCSS Maga has drawn condemnation from state and national leaders. Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris assured parents that his administration is fully committed to rescuing their children. Meanwhile, the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) condemned the attack and called on security agencies to ensure the students’ safe return.
“Schools must be sanctuaries of learning, not targets of violence,” the NSGF said in a statement. “Continued assaults on educational institutions threaten to reverse gains made in improving school enrolment and curbing the out-of-school crisis in the region.”
The incident has also reignited debates on the safety of students in the North. Experts warn that unless security is strengthened around schools and community vigilance is enhanced, such attacks are likely to continue.
Lt.-Gen. Shaibu highlighted that the ongoing operations are intelligence-driven. Troops have been instructed to carry out continuous day-and-night patrols, respond quickly to credible intelligence reports, and conduct targeted missions to disrupt bandit networks.
He further highlighted the importance of coordination between the military and local vigilante groups. Forested areas, which often serve as hideouts for the bandits, require local knowledge to navigate effectively. The Army Chief encouraged vigilantes to continue providing information and assured them that military units would support their efforts in real-time operations.
“Bandits are trying to scare children from going to school. We must show that we can defeat them and restore public confidence in education and security,” Shaibu told the troops and local security actors.
Security agencies in Kebbi and neighboring states are on high alert as the search operation continues. Helicopters and UAVs are being deployed for surveillance, and additional troops have been dispatched to expand the search perimeter. Intelligence suggests that the abductors may attempt to move the girls across state boundaries, making rapid response essential.
Parents, school authorities, and community leaders remain hopeful that the students will be rescued unharmed. The military has promised updates on the progress of the operation, emphasizing that every possible measure is being taken to bring the students home safely.
The abduction highlights the broader security challenges facing Northern Nigeria, particularly in rural areas vulnerable to banditry. Experts argue that alongside military action, long-term solutions such as community policing, better intelligence networks, and investments in school security are necessary to protect children and ensure uninterrupted education.
In conclusion, the visit of the Chief of Army Staff to Kebbi State demonstrates the federal military’s commitment to tackling banditry and rescuing kidnapped schoolchildren. With intensified operations under Operation FANSAN YANMA, local and national authorities remain determined to bring the abducted students of GGCSS Maga safely back to their families.
