Schoolgirl Escapes as Search Intensifies for 24 Abducted in Nigeria

A schoolgirl has escaped from captivity shortly after being abducted along with 24 others from a dormitory in northwestern Nigeria. The incident occurred at the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Kebbi State during an attack by gunmen in the early hours of Monday. The school’s principal, Musa Rabi Magaji, confirmed the girl’s safe return to her family on Tuesday, while security forces and local hunters intensified their search for the remaining students in nearby forests.

The attack unfolded before dawn as armed men scaled the school’s fence, engaging in a gunfight with police officers stationed nearby. Tragically, a staff member was killed during the assault. Local authorities have not yet identified any group claiming responsibility for the kidnappings, although it is widely understood that gangs notorious for such acts often target educational institutions and rural communities for ransom. Analysts suggest that these bandit groups are primarily composed of former herders who have turned to violence following conflicts over resources with farming communities.

Maga, the town where the school is located, lies in proximity to regions heavily affected by violence, such as Zamfara and Sokoto states. These areas are known hideouts for several criminal gangs involved in kidnappings.

In a statement, Magaji revealed that another student narrowly escaped capture during the chaos. “They are safe and sound,” he assured, referencing the two girls who managed to evade their captors. A video verified by the Associated Press shows the girls, appearing to be in their early teens, reunited with their families, visibly shaken but unharmed.

Rescue Operations Underway

As authorities respond to the crisis, security forces have ramped up their operations to locate the abducted students. They are conducting sweeps of nearby forests known to harbor gangs while deploying units along major routes leading to the school. Kebbi Governor Nasir Idris visited the school shortly after the incident, pledging his commitment to the rescue efforts. Furthermore, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, ordered an “intelligence-driven” approach to the search, emphasizing that the military must act decisively to locate the missing children.

“We must find these children,” Shaibu stated, urging his troops to maintain relentless pursuit of the abductors. “Success is not optional,” he added, reflecting the urgency of the situation.

Community Reactions and Continued Insecurity

The atmosphere in Maga remains tense as families anxiously await news of their loved ones. Residents have expressed anger and frustration over the attack. Abdulkarim Abdullahi, whose daughter and granddaughter are among those kidnapped, recounted the harrowing moment he heard gunfire. “I was at home when I suddenly heard gunshots from the school. We were told that the attackers entered the school with many motorcycles,” he explained.

Another local, Amina Hassan, described the tragic loss of her husband, who was shot by the assailants inside their home, located on school grounds. Her husband, Hassan Yakubu Makuku, served as the school’s vice principal and chief security officer. “They told him that we are here to kill you,” she recounted, highlighting the personal toll of the violence.

The pattern of school abductions in Nigeria has persisted, with over 1,500 students reported kidnapped since the infamous Boko Haram abduction of 276 girls in Chibok more than a decade ago. Analysts point to a failure to effectively prosecute known attackers and systemic corruption as contributing factors to the rampant insecurity in the region.

“Strategic kidnappings, like those of school children, attract significant attention,” noted security analyst Oluwole Ojewale from the Institute for Security Studies. The ongoing crisis underscores the urgent need for effective security measures to protect vulnerable communities and restore safety in Nigeria’s northern regions.