By Muhammad Mamman
Twenty-four schoolgirls abducted from the Government Girls Secondary School in Maga, located in Kebbi State’s Danko-Wasagu district, have been rescued, security sources told reporters on Tuesday.
Details of the operation remain unclear, and officials say a formal announcement will be made later on Tuesday night. The security sources, who requested anonymity because they were not authorised to speak publicly, confirmed only that “all the girls are alive” and are currently in protective custody.
The students were seized in the early hours of Monday when armed men stormed the school at about 5:52am, firing shots as the girls prepared for their morning routines. A school guard was injured during the attack.
The kidnapping triggered nationwide outrage and renewed debate about Nigeria’s chronic insecurity, particularly in the country’s north where schools have repeatedly been targeted by armed groups in recent years.
Parents, local leaders and rights groups have long urged the federal government to bolster security around educational institutions, warning that persistent attacks are deepening fear and jeopardising the future of thousands of children.
Officials say more information about the rescue operation, the condition of the girls, and whether any arrests were made is expected later tonight.
