Nigeria has been thrown into widespread outrage following the abduction of 25 schoolgirls from Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State. The attack, carried out in the early hours of Monday, has sparked national concern and renewed calls for stronger security across the country.

The armed bandits, armed with sophisticated weapons, stormed the school around 4:00am, engaging police officers in a gun battle before scaling the perimeter fence and seizing the students from their hostel.

Tragically, the school’s Vice Principal, Malam Hassan Yakubu Makuku, lost his life while reportedly trying to protect the students. A security guard, Ali Shehu, was also injured during the attack.

The Kebbi State Police Command later confirmed the abduction, with spokesperson CSP Nafi’u Abubakar Kotarkoshi assuring that a manhunt for the criminals is underway.

Leaders React: “Nigeria Cannot Continue on This Path”

The incident has triggered strong reactions from prominent figures across the country, with many expressing frustration over the rising wave of insecurity.

Atiku Abubakar: Deepening insecurity demands urgent reforms

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar condemned the attack, describing it as another painful reminder of Nigeria’s worsening security challenges.
He linked the Kebbi abduction to other violent incidents across Zamfara, Plateau, Benue, and Kano, insisting that “Nigeria cannot continue on this path.”

Atiku urged the Federal Government to review and strengthen the country’s security architecture, prioritize vulnerable communities, and intensify intelligence-driven operations.

Obiageli Ezekwesili: “Deeply heart-wrenching”

Former Minister of Education and co-convener of the Bring Back Our Girls movement, Oby Ezekwesili, also expressed heartbreak over the attack.

She blamed the recurring pattern of school kidnappings on the government’s “persistent enabling of impunity,” noting that the failures of past rescue operations—from Chibok (2014) to Dapchi (2018)—should guide the current administration.

Ezekwesili stressed that the abducted girls “have no reason to spend even one day in the enclave of terrorists,” urging immediate rescue efforts and a renewed commitment to safe schooling across Nigeria.

Peter Obi: “This is not the Nigeria we should accept”

Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi called the incident “heartbreaking,” warning that entire communities in Nigeria are now living in fear.
From Kebbi to Zamfara—where bandits also killed residents and abducted dozens—Obi said the killings and mass kidnappings have become “devastating and unacceptable.”

Calling for an overhaul of the nation's security system, Obi urged governments at all levels to intensify rescue efforts and ensure that children are never again left at the mercy of terrorists.

Federal Government Orders Swift Rescue

In response to the nationwide uproar, the Federal Government has directed security and intelligence agencies to immediately locate and rescue the abducted students.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said the government shares in the pain of affected families and remains committed to bringing the girls home safely.

Experts Call for Stronger School Safety and Trauma Support

Public affairs analyst Nduka Odo emphasized the need for a two-pronged approach:

Prioritizing the safe rescue of the abducted girls.

Providing psychological support to families dealing with trauma.

He added that Nigeria can overcome insecurity, but only through sincere collaboration between government, security institutions, and local communities.

The abduction of the Kebbi schoolgirls has once again highlighted the urgency of protecting Nigeria’s schools and restoring safety nationwide. As rescue efforts continue, the country hopes for the safe return of the missing students and a long-term solution to the crises that have plagued the nation for years.