Relief swept across Kebbi State on Tuesday following the confirmation that the twenty-four schoolgirls abducted from a government boarding school in the Danko/Wasagu area had finally regained their freedom. Their release brought an end to several tense days marked by fear, uncertainty, and frantic rescue efforts.
The attack occurred at dawn on November 17 at Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School, Maga. According to early accounts, the armed men stormed the premises while many students were still preparing for morning activities. Residents reported that moments before the attack, a military detachment that had been stationed near the school left the area, a detail that immediately sparked confusion and concern.
The assailants overpowered the remaining local security personnel. During the chaos, the school’s vice principal was killed while attempting to protect the students, and a security guard sustained injuries. Amid the panic, the attackers forced dozens of students out of their dormitories and marched them into the surrounding bushes. Although initial reports suggested 25 students were taken, it was later confirmed that one of the girls managed to escape shortly after the abduction, leaving 24 still in captivity.
As news of the incident spread, parents rushed to the school, some in tears, others demanding answers. Local vigilante groups, familiar with the terrain, immediately joined security agencies in combing the forests. The state police command, military personnel, and special units of the Department of State Services (DSS) were deployed to track the movement of the abductors. The operation quickly expanded into a large-scale search-and-rescue mission coordinated from both state and federal levels.
For several days, security forces pushed deeper into the vast forest areas bordering the Kebbi, Zamfara, and Niger states regions known to harbour armed groups who capitalise on difficult terrain to evade capture. The government remained guarded in its updates, though officials repeatedly stressed that all efforts were being made to bring the girls home safely.
By November 25, the breakthrough the nation had been waiting for finally came. Through what authorities described as a “non-kinetic intervention”, meaning a resolution achieved without armed confrontation, all 24 abducted girls were successfully freed. Government insiders revealed that the operation involved a careful mix of intelligence work, negotiations, and pressure from multiple security units closing in on the kidnappers’ camps.
Shortly after their release, the girls were transported under heavy security to a safe location where medical teams conducted preliminary health checks. Early assessments indicated that the girls were physically stable, though visibly exhausted from the ordeal. Their families, who had been anxiously waiting for days, were allowed to reunite with them later in the day in an emotional gathering filled with tears, gratitude, and visible relief.
Kebbi State governor Nasir Idris welcomed the girls and confirmed that no ransom was paid to secure their freedom. He commended the DSS, the military, and the police for what he described as “relentless and coordinated work”, emphasising that their success demonstrated growing efficiency in tackling the region’s security challenges. He also vowed that the circumstances surrounding the attack, especially the reported withdrawal of military personnel shortly before the incident, would be thoroughly investigated.
President Bola Tinubu also expressed relief over the safe return of the students. In an official statement, he praised the security agencies for their persistence and assured Nigerians that protecting schools remains a top national priority. He noted that new measures, including increased surveillance and longer-term security reinforcement in high-risk areas, were already being implemented.
Despite the positive outcome, the attack has revived deep concerns about the safety of schoolchildren across northern Nigeria. Similar incidents in recent months, including abductions in Kwara and Niger States, have left communities feeling vulnerable and frustrated. Parents, unions, and education advocates have renewed calls for stronger security architecture for boarding schools, particularly those in remote regions.
Locals in Maga revealed that the school had been living under the shadow of insecurity for months, with banditry incidents recorded in nearby communities. For many, the attack felt inevitable. Some parents admitted they had already been considering withdrawing their daughters from the school before the kidnapping occurred. With this incident now added to the long list of school attacks in Nigeria’s north, many fear that the pursuit of education, especially for girls, may continue to face dangerous setbacks.
Security analysts observing the situation argue that while the non-kinetic approach used in rescuing the girls was effective, it also highlights the delicate balance between negotiation and military action. Some believe that armed groups may feel emboldened by negotiation-driven rescues, while others argue that such methods reduce fatalities and shield victims from harm.
For the schoolgirls, the psychological impact of their ordeal may linger long after their physical rescue. Several humanitarian groups have already offered to support the state government with trauma counselling, reintegration programmes, and follow-up assessments aimed at ensuring the girls return to school when they feel safe enough to do so.
Communities in Kebbi State took the news of the rescue as a sign of hope but also as a reminder of the urgent work still needed. Many residents believe the lasting solution goes beyond rescue operations and lies in sustained security reforms, community empowerment, and stronger intelligence cooperation between states.
While the nation celebrates the return of the 24 girls, the bigger question now looms: how long before the next attack? And will Nigeria finally reach a point where schools are safe havens instead of targets?
For now, the families in Maga are holding their daughters tightly, grateful that the story ends with joy and not tragedy. The freedom of the Kebbi schoolgirls is a victory — but one that underscores the urgent need for Nigeria to protect its children, its schools, and its future.
