Kebbi School Abduction: Chairman Releases Full List of 25 Kidnapped Girls, Debunks US Lawmaker’s ‘False’ Claims
“Kebbi Chairman releases a full list of 25 abducted schoolgirls and debunks a US lawmaker’s claim about the attack occurring in a Christian area. President Tinubu condemns the incident and deploys security forces.”
The Chairman of Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area, Hussaini Aliyu, has released the names of the 25 schoolgirls abducted from Government Girls Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State, while dismissing comments made by a United States lawmaker, Riley Moore, suggesting that the attack took place in a Christian community.
Aliyu clarified that all the abducted students are Muslims, insisting that Moore’s claim was “misleading and capable of heightening unnecessary religious tension.” He urged foreign commentators to refrain from making “unguarded and unverified statements” at a time when government agencies were working tirelessly to secure the release of the girls.
According to the chairman, the Maga community—under the Zuru Emirate—“has never experienced any form of religious crisis,” raising concerns over “why the US lawmaker would make remarks that portray Nigeria in a negative and divisive light.”
Full List of Abducted Students Released by the Chairman
Senior Secondary School 2A:
- Fatima Sani Zimri
- Hafsat Ibrahim
- Nana Firdausi Jibril
- Masauda Yakubu Romo
Senior Secondary School 2B:
- Hauwa Saleh
- Hauwau Umar Imam
Senior Secondary School 3A & 3B:
- Salima Garba Umar
- Salima Sani Zimri
- Amina G. Umar
- Rashida Muhammad Dingu
- Saliha Umar
- Aisha Usman
- Jamila Iliyasu
- Maryam Illiyasu
- Najaatu Abdullahi
- Zainab Kolo
Junior Secondary School 3A:
- Surraya Tukur
- Hafsat Umar Yalmo
- Maryam Usman
- Amina Illiyasu
- Ikilima Suleman
Junior Secondary School 2:
- Khadija Nazifi
- Hauwa’u Iliyasu
- Hauwa’u Lawali
- Ummu Kulsum Abdulkarim
Politics Nigeria recalls that the Monday morning attack also claimed the life of the school’s Vice Principal, who was reportedly shot while attempting to stop the bandits from abducting the students.
Security agencies have since deployed a combined tactical team to comb the surrounding forests and intensify search-and-rescue operations.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu condemned the attack, extending condolences to the bereaved families and the affected community. The President also postponed his scheduled diplomatic trips to Johannesburg, South Africa, for the 20th G20 Summit, and Luanda, Angola, for the 7th AU–EU Summit.
Tinubu further directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to travel to Kebbi State to meet the affected families and assess ongoing rescue efforts on his behalf.
How the Abduction Happened: Insight Into the Attack on Government Girls Secondary School, Maga
Preliminary accounts from local security sources and community members indicate that the abduction of the 25 schoolgirls from Government Girls Secondary School, Maga, followed a pattern similar to previous bandit operations in the North-West.
According to reports, the attack occurred in the early hours of Monday, a time often exploited by bandits because security visibility is low and students are either preparing for classes or still settling into school activities.
- Bandits Arrived in Large Numbers
Eyewitnesses said the attackers arrived on motorcycles, riding in groups—an operational strategy commonly used by armed bandits in the region. They reportedly entered the school premises shooting sporadically to instill fear and disorganise both staff and students.
- Security Presence Was Overwhelmed
The school, like many rural public schools, had only a limited security presence. The sudden arrival of heavily armed men overwhelmed the available guards, making it difficult to put up any meaningful resistance.
- The Vice Principal Tried to Intervene
Tragically, the Vice Principal attempted to stop the bandits from gaining access to the girls’ hostels, leading to him being shot and killed. His intervention briefly slowed the attackers but could not stop them.
- Students Were Rounded Up from Hostels and Class Areas
The attackers split into smaller groups and entered the dormitory and surrounding areas where students were gathered. They forcibly assembled the girls and moved them out of the school compound.
- The Girls Were Taken Into the Forest
After rounding up the students, the bandits marched them to waiting motorcycles at the outskirts of the community. The abducted girls were then transported into the dense forest areas connecting Kebbi, Niger, and Zamfara, which are notorious hideouts for kidnappers.
- The Operation Lasted Minutes
As is typical in such attacks, eyewitnesses said the operation was swift—lasting between 20 and 30 minutes—suggesting that the assailants had studied the environment and planned the attack in advance.
- Security Forces Responded After the Attack
A combined tactical team was deployed shortly after the abduction, but the attackers had already moved deep into the forest. Search-and-rescue operations are ongoing.
