Twenty-five female students who were abducted from the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State, have been rescued and returned safely, according to government and security sources.
The students, kidnapped on November 17, were taken from their dormitory after gunmen stormed the school in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area, killing the vice-principal and injuring a security guard.
Security operatives including the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services (DSS), and military units operating under various tactical commands launched a coordinated rescue effort that concluded with the release of the abducted girls.
Following the rescue, the Presidency issued a statement welcoming the return of the students and ordering intensified security operations in vulnerable regions to prevent further kidnappings.
Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris confirmed the release and clarified that no ransom was paid by either the State Government or the Federal Government, underlining that the rescue was achieved solely through security operations. The students are reportedly being reunited with their families.
Analysts describe the rescue operation as “non-kinetic,” signalling a shift from previous responses that relied heavily on force. The success has sparked relief nationwide, but also renewed concerns about the rising wave of school abductions across Nigeria.
The safe return of the Kebbi schoolgirls is being hailed by pressure groups and security watchers as a “divine victory” a rare win amid mounting public angst over insecurity.
