In a harrowing incident on Monday, armed assailants stormed an all-girls’ boarding school in Kebbi state, north-western Nigeria, kidnapping at least 25 students and a teacher. Amid the chaos, two girls managed to escape their captors by fleeing into nearby farmland, according to Hussaini Aliyu, a local official from Danko Wasagu council. While both girls are now safe, one required medical attention for injuries sustained during her escape. Security forces, including soldiers, police, and volunteers, are conducting extensive searches in forested areas to rescue the remaining captives. Major General Waidi Shaibu, Nigeria’s army chief of staff, has urged troops to persist in their efforts, emphasizing the urgency of the mission. The attackers, described as ‘bandits,’ invaded the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga town at approximately 04:00 local time. Tragically, two staff members lost their lives during the assault: a teacher who died while protecting the students and a security guard who succumbed to gunshot wounds in the hospital. This attack underscores the ongoing security crisis in northern Nigeria, where schools have become frequent targets for armed groups seeking ransom or political leverage. Families of the abducted children are enduring immense anguish, with one father expressing his despair over his daughter’s captivity. Nigerian authorities, including President Bola Tinubu, have pledged their commitment to rescuing the girls and ensuring the safety of all citizens, particularly schoolchildren.
