In a tragic turn of events, two girls were among those who managed to escape from a kidnapping ordeal at their boarding school in Kebbi state, northwestern Nigeria. They were part of a larger group of at least 25 children and a teacher abducted when armed gunmen stormed their school.
The girls made their escape while being taken away by their captors and managed to run across farmland. Officials report that one of them sustained a leg injury during the flight, but both are now safe.
The incident also left two school staff members dead. A teacher was killed while trying to shield the students and a security guard later succumbed to gunshot wounds from the attack.
A concerted effort involving soldiers, police, and community volunteers is underway to locate the remaining kidnapped students. Army Chief of Staff Major General Waidi Shaibu has urged his troops to work tirelessly, day and night, to find the abducted children.
Sadly, this case is not isolated, as schools in northern Nigeria continue to face dire threats from armed groups, often leading to kidnappings aimed at ransom or negotiations with government authorities.
The parents of the abducted children are left in agony, facing an uncertain wait for news of their loved ones. One father described the heart-wrenching situation, stating his family has been in continuous tears since the abduction.
Local police report that during the invasion of the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga town, the attackers engaged in a gunfight with on-duty police personnel before breaching the perimeter fence. Families are devastated, and one daughter's frightened decision to reveal her hiding place led to her abduction, while her sister managed to stay hidden.
The security challenges in the region have led to widespread fear, with Nigeria’s central government expressing deep concern and extending sympathies to affected families. Information Minister Mohammed Idris Malagi reassured the public of the government's unwavering commitment to protect its children and resolve the crisis swiftly.
