IN A WELCOME resolution to a tense ordeal, the twenty-four schoolgirls abducted from the Government Girls’ Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State, have all been freed unharmed.
The announcement came from Governor Nasir Idris during a special press briefing in Birnin Kebbi on Tuesday night, where he confirmed the girls were safe and en route to the state capital.
The successful rescue was met with relief and commendation from the highest levels of government.
Governor Idris expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, crediting the President’s direct and persistent involvement for facilitating the girls’ safe return.
He also lauded the collaborative efforts of the nation’s security agencies — the military, police, DSS, and NSCDC — for their professional and determined response to the crisis.
From Abuja, President Tinubu welcomed the news, expressing his relief that all twenty-four students had been accounted for.
However, he swiftly turned attention to those still in captivity across the country, ordering security agencies to intensify their efforts.
The President highlighted the Kebbi incident as having sparked a series of “copycat” kidnappings in Kwara and Niger states, where, fortunately, many victims have also since been freed.
Urging for more “boots on the ground” in vulnerable areas, Tinubu vowed that his administration would provide all necessary support to prevent further tragedies and secure the freedom of all remaining captives.
As the freed girls were reunited with authorities, the state prepared for a formal handover to their families, bringing a close to a harrowing chapter marked by days of fervent prayer and concerted action.
