President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, to relocate to Kebbi State following Monday’s abduction of students from Government Girls’ Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area.
According to a statement by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, Matawalle was instructed to remain in the state and oversee the security operations aimed at rescuing the abducted schoolgirls. He is expected in Birnin Kebbi today to lead on-the-ground coordination with the military, police and other security agencies deployed to the affected community.
Gunmen had invaded the school around 4:00 a.m. on Monday, shooting sporadically before abducting 24 students. The attack occurred less than an hour after security personnel earlier stationed at the school were said to have been withdrawn, a situation parents believe left the girls vulnerable.
Presidency sources said the directive to Matawalle was influenced by his experience dealing with mass abductions during his tenure as governor of Zamfara State, including the February 2021 kidnapping of 279 female students from Jangebe, who were released after days in captivity.
Tinubu also postponed his scheduled trips to Johannesburg, South Africa, and Luanda, Angola, in order to receive continuous security briefings on the Kebbi school abductions and the separate attack on a church in Kwara State.
A delegation of All Progressives Congress governors, led by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, visited Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris on Thursday to express solidarity. Uzodimma described the abduction as a brutal and “deeply inhumane” incident, assuring that the governors would support ongoing rescue efforts.
Governor Idris said the attack has traumatised families and the entire state but expressed confidence in the security operations being conducted. He noted that Vice President Kashim Shettima also visited earlier to convey the President’s message of hope and commitment to securing the release of the girls.
Meanwhile, the District Head of Maga, Muhammad Dantani, confirmed that the community will hold a special prayer today for the safe return of the abducted students. Residents have been gathering nightly to support affected families and call for swift action from authorities.
Security agencies continue to comb surrounding forests, although the state police command has dismissed claims that the girls had been sighted, insisting that no verified information has emerged and urging the public to avoid misinformation.
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