Twenty-four schoolchildren earlier seized by armed attackers in Kebbi have regained their freedom, bringing a moment of relief to anxious families after days of uncertainty.
Their release marks the first major breakthrough since terrorists stormed the school and whisked the pupils away, triggering nationwide concern and renewed scrutiny of security lapses across vulnerable communities.
The attack occurred on November 17, when gunmen struck shortly after a military detachment reportedly departed the premises.
Moreover, the raid on the Kebbi school was followed by copycat abductions in Eruku, Kwara State, and Papiri in Niger State, raising fears of a widening pattern of coordinated assaults on soft targets.
Also, developments from those areas have provided mixed outcomes. All 38 victims kidnapped in Eruku were freed on Sunday, while the Niger State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria disclosed that 50 students earlier tagged as missing from a Catholic school were later discovered in their parents’ homes, suggesting initial confusion in the aftermath of the incident.
President Bola Tinubu welcomed the safe return of the Kebbi schoolgirls and commended security agencies for what he described as “sustained and determined efforts” in securing their freedom.
However, he stressed that more work must be done to bring back other victims still in captivity.
“I am relieved that all the 24 girls have been accounted for,” the President said. “Now, we must put as a matter of urgency more boots on the ground in the vulnerable areas to avert further incidents of kidnapping. My government will offer all the assistance needed to achieve this.”
Furthermore, the President urged security forces to intensify search-and-rescue operations for remaining abductees across the country, insisting that the fight against kidnapping must be pursued with greater resolve.
The statement was issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.