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

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