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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja and Olanrewaju Lawal, Birnin Kebbi
One of the 25 students abducted from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, Danko Wasagu Local Government, Kebbi State, has escaped and returned home.
This was confirmed yesterday by the school authorities. The principal, Musa Rabi Magaji, told the Associated Press that the girl broke free “within minutes” of the attack, while another student, who was not part of the abducted group, also made it back home safely.
“One is part of the 25 abducted, and the other one returned earlier. They are safe and sound,” he said.
During the incident in the early hours of Sunday, the gunmen killed the school’s vice principal, Malam Hassan Yakubu Makuku. Several bodies were also reportedly discovered on the school premises after the attack.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in a statement by its Communication Specialist, Sussan Akila, described the incident as “a stark reminder” of the urgent need to protect children, schools and education personnel: “We stand with the affected community at this difficult time. Our heartfelt condolences go to those who have lost their loved ones, and we wish a full recovery for those injured.”
The organisation called for the immediate and unconditional release of the abducted students, stressing that students, schools and education personnel were protected under international law from any form of attack.
UNICEF added that those responsible for the attack must be held accountable, in line with both national and international standards, to prevent future tragedies and ensure that justice is served.
It recalled that Nigeria endorsed the Safe Schools Declaration in 2015, committing to safeguarding schools’ civilian nature and ensure safe access to education during conflict situations.
UNICEF urged the government and stakeholders to fully implement the declaration nationwide, highlighting the urgent need for stronger child protection systems to prevent attacks on schools and children.
The organisation noted that it was working with government partners, civil society and communities to strengthen child protection and create safe, inclusive learning environments.
“No child should be put at risk while pursuing education,” it added.
First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has also condemned the abduction. Mrs Tinubu requested a minute of silence from the wives of service chiefs during their visit to the State House, Abuja, to honour the late vice principal and victims of the Kebbi attack.
The visiting group included Sefiyan Shuaibu, Ngozi Aneke, Aishatu Abass and Elizabeth Egbetokun, representing the Nigerian Army, Air Force, Navy and Police Officers’ Wives Associations, respectively.
She hailed the new service chiefs for ensuring national security, while applauding their spouses for supporting them and contributing to community welfare across the country.
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She urged the service chiefs’ wives to create avenues for collaboration with her office, recalling her positive working relationship with former Service Chiefs’ spouses and their support for widows and veterans.
Tinubu acknowledged the challenges faced by security personnel in Kebbi, emphasising the importance of protecting lives and commending the officers for their commitment in spite of personal risks.
She revealed plans for holiday season initiatives, including financial support for persons with disabilities on December 3 and assistance to the elderly on December 16, funded by her NGO, Renewed Hope Initiative.
The First Lady said N100 million had been budgeted to assist vulnerable groups, encouraging the service chiefs’ wives to emulate her leadership and expand community-based empowerment programmes nationwide.
Egbetokun, leading the visiting wives, thanked Tinubu for her support, guidance, and empowerment initiatives, highlighting programmes for widows, skill training, scholarships, and yearly support for the elderly.
The group pledged to continue learning under the First Lady’s leadership, vowing to sustain collaborative efforts that promoted women’s empowerment, community welfare, and national peace across Nigeria.
Also reacting, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), in a statement by its president, Olushola Oladoja, said the attack has reopened painful memories of previous mass abductions, including the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls’ kidnapping in Borno and other incidents in Katsina, Niger, Yobe and Kaduna States.
NANS warned that the recurring assaults on schools, particularly in northern Nigeria, were becoming a disturbing pattern that required urgent and proactive intervention.
“Nigeria cannot continue to deploy reactive measures only after lives have been destroyed and families shattered.
“Our schools must never be playgrounds for terrorists; our daughters must never again be turned into bargaining chips in the hands of criminals,” it said.
The association urged the Federal Government, Kebbi State Government and security agencies to deploy all available resources to ensure the immediate rescue of the abducted students.
It also called for high-end security measures around all schools, especially girls’ boarding institutions, and for intelligence-driven operations to dismantle criminal networks involved in mass abductions.
The students’ association commiserated with the family of the slain vice principal, described as courageous, as reports indicated that he was killed while resisting the attackers.
NANS prayed for the recovery of an injured member of staff of the school and assured families of the abducted girls of its solidarity.
It promised to stand with them in “grief, prayer, and unwavering hope for the safe return of the children”.
