In response to the recent abduction of 24 schoolgirls in Kebbi State, President Bola Tinubu has directed the Minister of State for Defence, Alhaji Bello Matawalle, to move to the state and oversee security operations aimed at securing their release. The directive was announced in a press release by the Statehouse, confirming that Matawalle is expected to arrive in Birni-Kebbi on Friday.
The students, all attending Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga town, were kidnapped around 4 a.m. on Monday, sparking nationwide concern and prompting immediate action from the federal government. President Tinubu, who had planned a trip to Johannesburg, South Africa, and Luanda, Angola, postponed the journey to stay updated on the security situation and coordinate efforts to rescue the girls.
Alhaji Bello Matawalle, the former governor of Zamfara State (2019–2023), brings prior experience in handling banditry and mass abductions. During his tenure, he dealt with the infamous Jangebe schoolgirls abduction in February 2021, when 279 female students aged 10 to 17 were kidnapped by armed bandits from a boarding school in Zamfara. All hostages were eventually released on March 2, 2021, following coordinated security efforts.
According to local authorities, the abductors struck early Monday morning, taking advantage of the school’s relative isolation. The 24 students were seized by unknown gunmen, causing immediate panic among parents, students, and residents. Security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Armed Forces, have been mobilized to track and rescue the students.
President Tinubu’s decision to station Matawalle in Kebbi reflects the urgency of the situation. Sources from the Statehouse indicate that the minister will coordinate directly with state security agencies and federal task forces, ensuring continuous monitoring of rescue operations.
Following the incident, the federal government has intensified security briefings and monitoring. President Tinubu’s cancellation of his foreign trips signals the priority placed on protecting citizens, particularly schoolchildren, from the growing menace of kidnappings in Northern Nigeria.
The Statehouse press release, signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy), emphasized that Matawalle’s presence is aimed at strengthening coordination between federal and state security forces and ensuring an effective, rapid response to the kidnapping.
Kidnapping for ransom has emerged as one of the most serious security threats in Nigeria, particularly in the northern states. Over the past several years, schools, churches, and even homes have been targeted by armed groups, prompting national and international concern.
Government Girls Science Secondary School in Jangebe, Zamfara, became a notable case when 279 girls were kidnapped in 2021, highlighting the vulnerability of boarding schools and rural communities. The release of the girls after six days demonstrated that coordinated government intervention can yield results, although challenges remain.
Parents and community members in Maga town have expressed relief that a high-ranking federal official is now directly supervising the rescue efforts. Residents also urged the government to strengthen school security nationwide to prevent further abductions.
National attention on the incident has sparked discussions on improving security infrastructure, including more military patrols around schools, better alarm systems, and rapid response teams ready to act in emergencies.
Matawalle’s deployment is expected to improve the coordination of intelligence, ground operations, and communication among the security agencies in Kebbi. Authorities have also appealed to citizens to provide credible information on the kidnappers’ movements and locations of potential hideouts.
The federal government continues to stress that all efforts are being made to ensure the safety of the students and hold the abductors accountable. President Tinubu, in his directive, highlighted the importance of preventing such crimes in the future and ensuring the safety of children across Nigeria.
