President Bola Tinubu has reassured Nigerians, particularly the families of the schoolgirls abducted in Maga, Kebbi State, that the Federal Government will deploy every available instrument of state to secure the safe return of the students.
The assurance was delivered on Wednesday through Vice President Kashim Shettima during his visit to Kebbi, where he met with the government and people of the state following the attack.
Shettima arrived at the Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport in the company of the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, and other officials. He described the abduction as deeply unfortunate and stressed that the President’s foremost concern is the safe recovery of the schoolgirls. He also praised security agencies for their commitment and sacrifice.
The Vice President noted that Brigadier General Musa Uba, who was killed by terrorists, would be honoured alongside Hassan Makuku, the vice principal of Government Girls’ Comprehensive Secondary School, who reportedly lost his life while attempting to prevent the abduction. Governor Nasir Idris thanked President Tinubu for his support and said the state government was working closely with federal authorities, providing full backing to security forces involved in the rescue efforts.
Tinubu’s message comes in the wake of the armed attack on the school, which led to the killing of the vice principal and the abduction of several students. The incident has continued to attract condemnation across Nigeria and beyond.
Aliyu gave their names as follows:
Senior Secondary School 2A
1. Fatima Sani Zimri
2. Hafsat Ibrahim
3. Nana Firdausi Jibril
4. Masauda Yakubu Romo
Senior Secondary School 2B
5. Hauwa Saleh
6. Hauwau Umar Imam
Senior Secondary School 3A & 3B
7. Salima Garba Umar
8. Salima Sani Zimri
9. Amina G. Umar
10. Rashida Muhammad Dingu
11. Saliha Umar
12. Aisha Usman
13. Jamila Iliyasu
14. Maryam Illiyasu
15. Najaatu Abdullahi
16. Zainab Kolo
Junior Secondary School 3A
17. Surraya Tukur
18. Hafsat Umar Yalmo
19. Maryam Usman
20. Amina Illiyasu
21. Ikilima Suleman
Junior Secondary School 2
22. Khadija Nazifi
23. Hauwa’u Iliyasu
24. Hauwa’u Lawali
25. Ummu Kulsum Abdulkarim
Aliyu also refuted claims made by United States lawmaker Riley Moore, who suggested the attack occurred in a Christian-dominated area. He clarified that the abducted students are Muslims and urged against spreading unverified narratives capable of causing division.
Meanwhile, President Tinubu has postponed his planned trips to South Africa and Angola for the G20 Summit and the AU-EU Summit, respectively. His decision followed the Kebbi school abductions and the recent killings in the Eruku community of Kwara State as he awaits further security briefings.
What You Should Know
President Tinubu has placed priority on the rescue of the abducted Maga schoolgirls, dispatching Vice President Shettima to Kebbi to meet victims’ families and state officials.
The attack, which claimed the life of Vice Principal Hassan Makuku, led local authorities to release the names of 25 abducted students.
Tinubu has postponed major international engagements to focus on the security crises in Kebbi and Kwara.
