In a tragic escalation of violence against schools in northwest Nigeria, gunmen stormed a government girls’ boarding school in Kebbi State early Monday, killing the vice principal and abducting 25 female students. The incident highlights ongoing security challenges in a region long plagued by kidnappings and armed attacks.
The attack occurred at Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga town around 4 a.m., local authorities said. Armed with rifles and using coordinated tactics, the assailants engaged police in a gunfight before scaling the school’s perimeter and seizing the students.
Vice Principal Hassan Yakubu Makuku was shot while attempting to resist the attackers, dying at the scene. Another staff member sustained gunshot injuries during the assault.
Police spokesperson Nafiu Abubakar Kotarkoshi confirmed that additional tactical units, soldiers, and local vigilantes have been deployed to search the surrounding forests and escape routes. Authorities are working around the clock to secure the safe release of the abducted girls.
Northwest Nigeria has seen repeated kidnappings of schoolchildren in recent years. Armed gangs, often motivated by ransom demands, have targeted schools across the region despite government promises to increase security measures.
This latest incident echoes the infamous 2014 abduction of 270 schoolgirls from Chibok in northeastern Nigeria by the Islamist militant group Boko Haram. While many Chibok girls eventually escaped or were released, some remain unaccounted for.
These attacks reflect a broader security crisis in Nigeria, where banditry and insurgency have grown increasingly brazen. Experts note that perpetrators often exploit gaps in local law enforcement and the difficult terrain surrounding many rural communities.
Local communities have expressed outrage at the attack and are calling for stronger protective measures for schools. Parents fear for the safety of their children, while teachers and school administrators are grappling with the trauma of repeated attacks on education institutions. Vigilante groups and civil defense organizations have stepped up patrols in some areas, but experts warn that these efforts are often insufficient against well-armed and organized gangs.
The Nigerian federal government has condemned the attack, reiterating its commitment to rescuing the kidnapped girls and apprehending those responsible. However, analysts say that without comprehensive reforms, including better intelligence, rapid response units, and community-based security programs, such incidents are likely to continue.
The repeated targeting of schools undermines education and instills fear in local populations. Girls’ education, in particular, is at risk, as parents may hesitate to send children to school for fear of abduction. Security analysts note that protecting schools must become a national priority to ensure that children can learn in safe environments and that teachers feel supported in high-risk areas.
The tragic abduction of 25 schoolgirls in Kebbi State and the killing of Vice Principal Makuku underscore the ongoing threats to education and public safety in northwest Nigeria.
As authorities continue their search and rescue operations, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for stronger security measures and a coordinated response to protect vulnerable communities. The hope remains that all the kidnapped girls will be safely returned, and that Nigeria’s schools can operate free from fear.
