Nigeria is once again confronted with the painful reminder of its lingering insecurity as the abduction of 25 schoolgirls in Kebbi State sparks widespread outrage, grief, and renewed calls for urgent action. Following the attack, President Bola Tinubu directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to visit the state today to condole with families and reassure parents that the girls will be rescued without delay.
The President also expressed deep sorrow over the killing of Brigadier General Musa Uba and other soldiers during combat operations in Borno, describing the losses as “heart-breaking” and calling on communities to offer the security agencies the cooperation they desperately need.
A Mother’s Trauma and a Daughter’s Escape
Perhaps the most haunting account of the night attack came from Amina Hassan, widow of the slain Vice Principal of the school. She recounted how armed men stormed their home around 3:30 a.m., shattering their door and killing her husband in front of her.
Her daughter, nearly taken by the attackers, narrowly escaped after using a momentary distraction to flee into the bush. By dawn, she returned to find her father dead and her schoolmates gone. The raw agony in Mrs. Hassan’s narration underscored the human cost of yet another assault on Nigeria’s education sector.
Army Chief Orders Relentless Search
In response, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, arrived in Kebbi, directing troops under Operation FANSAN YANMA to embark on nonstop, intelligence-driven operations—day and night—until every girl is found.
He stressed that the military would not allow criminals to weaponize fear or keep Nigerian children away from the classrooms that should shape their future.
Shaibu also held a strategy session with local hunters and vigilantes, calling them “indispensable partners” due to their knowledge of the terrain. He urged them to join security forces in sweeping through the forests where the abductors are suspected to be hiding.
Senate Calls for 100,000 More Troops
At the National Assembly, the Senate unanimously condemned the attack and demanded the immediate recruitment of at least 100,000 additional military personnel, citing Nigeria’s population of over 230 million and the “overwhelming” pressure on existing forces.
Several senators lamented the reoccurrence of school abductions, describing it as a national embarrassment and a symptom of deeper security lapses. A minute of silence was observed in honour of the murdered vice-principal and other victims.
Global Reactions and Fresh Criticisms
The abduction also drew international reactions.
U.S. lawmaker Riley Moore condemned the attack, calling for prayers and urging the Nigerian government to intensify protections in vulnerable communities. UNICEF issued a strongly worded statement reminding Nigeria of its 2015 commitment to the Safe Schools Declaration, insisting that children must never be put at risk in places of learning.
First Lady, Students’ Body Express Grief
First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu described the incident as “an assault on the values of safety and learning,” praying for the swift rescue of the abducted girls.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) was equally distraught. In a statement marking what should have been a celebratory International Students’ Day, the body said the incident had cast “a dark cloud” over a day meant to honour students’ resilience.
They cited past tragedies—from Chibok to Dapchi—as painful reminders that Nigeria is yet to secure its schools.