One Of 25 Kebbi Schoolgirls Escapes Kidnappers, Safe At Home

• One of the 25 kidnapped students from the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga town has escaped and is safe.
• Officials confirmed the escape on Tuesday.
• Security personnel and local hunters are intensifying efforts to recover the remaining girls.

One of the 25 students kidnapped from the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga town has managed to escape and is now safe.

Officials confirmed the development on Tuesday as security personnel and local hunters stepped up efforts to recover the remaining girls.

The escaped student returned home late Monday, according to the school principal, Musa Rabi Magaji, who stated that she was “safe and well.”

Another student reportedly avoided being captured altogether by fleeing during the pre-dawn attack. Both girls, believed to be in their early teens, have reunited with their families in the village.

The assault took place early Monday morning when armed men, reportedly on several motorcycles, stormed the boarding school.

Vice Principal Hassan Yakubu Makuku was killed during the attack. His wife, Amina Hassan, recounted the incident:

“Three of them came in and asked for my husband, ‘Are you Malam Hassan?’ When he confirmed, they said, ‘We are here to kill you.’”

Local residents expressed shock over the violent raid. Abdulkarim Abdullahi, who lives close to the school, said he heard gunfire from his home:

“I was at home when the shooting started. We were told the attackers arrived on numerous motorcycles,” he said.

Security forces responded promptly. Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu instructed troops involved in Operation FANSAN YANMA to intensify intelligence-driven operations, stressing that “success is not optional” in rescuing the remaining students.

Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris visited the school on Monday, promising decisive action to ensure the girls’ safe return. President Bola Tinubu sent Vice President Kashim Shettima to Kebbi on Tuesday evening to console the families affected. Tinubu reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to the quick and safe release of the abducted students.

This incident reflects the broader insecurity in northern Nigeria, where armed groups and bandits frequently target schools, travelers, and remote communities. Security forces continue to search for the remaining kidnapped students.