All 24 schoolgirls abducted from a school in Maga, Kebbi State, have regained their freedom, the Presidency and the Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris confirmed on Tuesday.
The students were kidnapped by terrorists who struck the school at dawn on November 17, moments after a military detachment reportedly left the premises.
The attackers also killed the school’s Vice Principal, Hassan Makuku.
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The governor confirmed the release of the 24 schoolgirls and stressed that no ransom was paid for their freedom.
“No ransom was paid. The Kebbi State Government did not pay a kobo, and neither did the Federal Government. The rescue was achieved solely through the efforts of the security agencies,” Idris stated.
The governor added that the rescued children are scheduled to be handed over to their parents on Wednesday.
He expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for his concern and for directing security agencies to ensure the girls’ rescue.
Tinubu welcomes the release
Meanwhile, Tinubu welcomed the release of the 24 schoolgirls, according to a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Tinubu applauded the security agencies for their efforts but tasked them to intensify efforts to rescue the remaining students still being held captive from other incidents.
“I am relieved that all the 24 girls have been accounted for. Now, we must, as a matter of urgency, put more boots on the ground in vulnerable areas to avert further incidents of kidnapping. My government will offer all the assistance needed to achieve this,” the President said.
The Kebbi incident, along with the recent abductions in Eruku, Kwara State, and Papiri in Niger State, signals a resurgence of mass kidnappings in Nigeria, particularly in the northern region.
It was noted that all 38 kidnapped victims in Eruku were freed on Sunday.
Also on Sunday, the Christian Association of Nigeria Chairman in Niger State stated that 50 of the missing students from the Catholic school in Niger had been located in their parents’ homes.
The names of the 24 rescued schoolgirls, previously released by the Chairman of Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area, Hussaini Aliyu, include: SSS 2A, Fatima Sani Zimri, Hafsat Ibrahim, Nana Firdausi Jibril, and Masauda Yakubu Romo.
SSS 2B, Hauwa Saleh, Hauwau Umar Imam—SSS 3A & 3B, Salima Garba Umar, Salima Sani Zimri, Amina G. Umar, Rashida Muhammad Dingu, Saliha Umar, Aisha Usman, Jamila Iliyasu, Maryam Illiyasu, Najaatu Abdullahi, and Zainab Kolo.
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JSS 3A, Surraya Tukur, Hafsat Umar Yalmo, Maryam Usman, Amina Illiyasu, and Ikilima Suleman.
JSS 2, Khadija Nazifi, Hauwa’u Iliyasu, Hauwa’u Lawali, and Ummu Kulsum Abdulkarim
