Vice President Kashim Shettima on Tuesday arrived in Kebbi State as the Federal Government deepened its response to the abduction of schoolgirls from Government Girls Secondary School, Maga, in Danga Wasagu Local Government Area. His aircraft touched down at the Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport in Birnin Kebbi, where he was received by state officials and security authorities.
Shettima’s visit followed a directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who asked the Vice President to meet directly with affected families, deliver the President’s message of solidarity, and receive an on-ground security briefing. Shettima was accompanied by the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Zubaida Umar, alongside other key officials involved in the national emergency response.
The attack, which occurred Monday morning, claimed the life of the school’s Vice Principal, Malam Hassan Makuku. He was reportedly killed while attempting to stop the bandits from taking the girls. The tragic incident has drawn widespread condemnation across the country and renewed calls for stronger protection of schools in vulnerable regions.
Security agencies confirmed that combined tactical teams have already been deployed to comb surrounding forests and block suspected escape routes. The police say efforts are ongoing at full scale to ensure the safe return of the abducted students.
President Tinubu, who strongly condemned the attack, also commiserated with the grieving families and the people of Kebbi State. In a sign of the seriousness attached to the incident, the President postponed his scheduled trips to Johannesburg and Luanda for two major international summits—the G20 Leaders’ Summit and the 7th AU-EU Summit.
As Vice President Shettima meets with families and officials, expectations remain high across the country. The visit is seen as both a reassurance and a signal that the rescue of the abducted schoolgirls has become a top national priority.