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How Kebbi gov secured safe release of 24 Maga schoolgirls without paying ransom

Published

1 week ago

November 27, 2025

Gov. Nasir Idris

How Kebbi gov secured safe release of 24 Maga schoolgirls without paying ransom

The Kebbi State Government has detailed how Governor Nasir Idris played a decisive role in securing the safe release of the 24 abducted schoolgirls from Government Girls Community Secondary School, Maga, in Danko/Wasagu LGA, just eight days after their kidnapping on November 17, 2025.

The abduction, which triggered painful memories of the Chibok girls kidnapping, initially sparked fears of another prolonged national tragedy. But unlike previous incidents that dragged on for years, the Maga schoolgirls were freed unharmed without ransom, a development the government has described as a product of “leadership, courage, and swift action.”

Commissioner for Information and Culture, Ahmed Yakubu, said the attack sent shockwaves across Nigeria, reopening old emotional wounds. He noted that many Nigerians feared the girls might face the same fate as the Chibok victims, who were forced into marriages, pregnancies, and long-term separation from their families.

Yakubu said those fears were erased when all 24 girls returned safely — a success he attributed directly to the governor’s urgent and coordinated response. According to him, Governor Idris immediately contacted security agencies, federal authorities, and key stakeholders, insisting on a rapid rescue mission.

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The commissioner praised the governor’s “exceptional composure and decisiveness,” noting that the nationwide support for Kebbi during the incident was driven by Idris’s transparent, hands-on leadership. One of the most significant gestures, he added, was the governor’s decision to leave an important Abuja engagement and travel straight to Maga to comfort affected families, spending the night with them to boost morale.

Yakubu also raised concerns about the withdrawal of soldiers previously assigned to protect the school despite intelligence warnings of an imminent attack. The lapse, he said, contributed to the death of two individuals and highlighted persistent weaknesses in school security across the country.

He emphasized that the successful rescue was the result of collective efforts — including the prayers of Kebbi residents and support from President Bola Tinubu — and demonstrated the strength of collaboration during crises.

The commissioner said the episode renewed national unity, with individuals and organizations across Nigeria expressing solidarity with Kebbi State. He added that the incident underscored the need for stronger security protocols, proactive governance, and improved community engagement.

Yakubu declared that Governor Idris’s swift actions have “set a new standard for crisis management,” serving as a model for how leaders should respond to child abductions and school attacks.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening security partnerships to prevent future attacks and urged citizens to continue supporting the administration’s development and safety initiatives.

“As a state, we remain grateful for the safe return of the Maga girls,” Yakubu said. “In unity and resilience, we can build a safer future for our children.”

How Kebbi gov secured safe release of 24 Maga schoolgirls without paying ransom

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Ex-CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele Denies Allegations of Financing Terrorism

Published

14 minutes ago

December 6, 2025

Trends Admin

Godwin Emefiele

Ex-CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele Denies Allegations of Financing Terrorism

Former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, has strongly denied allegations linking him to terrorism financing in Nigeria, describing the claims as “mischievous and malicious.”

In a statement released on Saturday, December 6, 2025, Emefiele said the reports were “entirely fabricated, baseless, and a deliberate attempt to malign my name, mislead the public, and sow confusion for motives best known only to the publishers and their sponsors.”

He emphasized that the fight against terrorism is too important to be trivialized by irresponsible reporting, warning that Nigerians deserve accurate information rather than “reckless misinformation.”

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“Throughout my service to the nation and in my private life, at no time have I been involved in any activity remotely connected to terrorism, terrorist financing, or any action that threatens the peace and security of our nation,” Emefiele stated. He added that he has never been invited, questioned, or investigated regarding such allegations and has no connection to the individual cited in the media reports.

“There is no scintilla of truth in the allegation,” he said, urging the public to disregard the claims entirely and calling on media organizations to verify facts before publishing sensational stories.

Emefiele’s statement seeks to reaffirm his reputation and distances him from any activities undermining national security.

Ex-CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele Denies Allegations of Financing Terrorism

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Shettima Inaugurates Multi-Million Naira Juma’at Mosque in Gumel

Published

46 minutes ago

December 6, 2025

Trends Admin

Shettima Inaugurates Multi-Million Naira Juma’at Mosque in Gumel

Vice President Kashim Shettima on Friday inaugurated the newly constructed multi-million-naira Juma’at Mosque located within the Emir of Gumel’s Palace in Jigawa State.

According to a statement by Zainab Rabo, Senior Special Assistant on Media Affairs to Governor Umar Namadi, the event drew high-level dignitaries, including top politicians, first-class emirs, captains of industry, and prominent Islamic scholars from across the country.

Rabo disclosed that the mosque was built by the Kashim Shettima Foundation, adding that Governor Umar A. Namadi and the Sultan of Sokoto graced the ceremony.

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During the occasion, the Vice President congratulated the Emir of Gumel, Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed Sani, on marking 45 years on the throne, describing the milestone as a blessing and testament to exemplary leadership.

Shettima also reaffirmed his commitment—through his foundation—to initiatives that would improve the lives of Nigerians.

The Vice President further commended Governor Namadi for his notable strides in modern agriculture, noting that Jigawa’s progress under his leadership had positioned the state competitively within Nigeria and beyond.

“Governor Namadi is equal to the task, looking at his two-year achievements and the way he transformed Jigawa in modern agriculture,” Shettima stated.

Shettima Inaugurates Multi-Million Naira Juma’at Mosque in Gumel

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Police Launch Special Enforcement Team to Enforce Tinubu’s Ban on VIP Escorts

Published

1 hour ago

December 6, 2025

Trends Admin

Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun

Police Launch Special Enforcement Team to Enforce Tinubu’s Ban on VIP Escorts

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has deployed a Special Enforcement Team in Lagos to enforce President Bola Tinubu’s directive ending the use of police officers as escorts and guards for Very Important Persons (VIPs).

The operation, according to a statement posted on the Force’s official X account on Saturday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, commenced at about 10:00 a.m. on December 6, 2025, across key locations in Lagos State.

Hundeyin confirmed that the team carried out compliance checks at major points, including the Lekki–Ikoyi Link Bridge, the Murtala Muhammed International Airport domestic terminal, and other strategic hotspots within the state.

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He disclosed that officers found “satisfactory and commendable” compliance with the presidential directive, with no incidents of unauthorised police escort and no arrests recorded.

“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, reiterates the Force’s commitment to the full implementation of the presidential directive,” the statement said. “The Nigeria Police Force remains resolute in redeploying its personnel to core policing duties aimed at enhancing general security, crime prevention, and the protection of lives and property nationwide.”

Hundeyin added that enforcement would continue across the country “without fear or favour,” urging Nigerians to support the push for a more professional and citizen-focused policing system.

President Tinubu had, on November 23, ordered the immediate withdrawal of police officers from VIP protection, directing that they be reassigned to frontline policing roles. According to the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, VIP protection will now be handled by armed operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

The policy aims to free up police manpower for critical security operations, particularly in underserved communities, and enhance overall national security efficiency.