Early Monday morning, a terrifying raid shook the Maga Comprehensive Girls’ Secondary School in Danko Wasagu, Kebbi State.
Around 4am, a group of heavily armed men stormed the boarding school, abducting 25 female students and leaving a trail of violence in their wake.
The deputy head teacher, Hassan Yakubu Makuku, was shot dead while trying to defend the school, and a security guard sustained injuries during the attack.
Echoes of Chibok: A Dark Pattern Repeats
The incident immediately drew comparisons to the infamous 2014 Chibok kidnappings, when Boko Haram abducted 276 girls from a school in Borno State.
Though no group has claimed responsibility for Monday’s raid, the parallels are chilling.
Residents and experts are raising alarm over the recurring pattern of attacks on schools in northwest Nigeria, many of which are carried out by armed gangs seeking ransom.
Bandits Evade Military Checkpoints
Eyewitnesses described how the attackers moved swiftly through local forests, apparently undeterred by military presence.
Two checkpoints—one seven kilometers from the school in Damarke, and another less than a kilometer away at Rabah junction—failed to stop the assailants.
Locals expressed frustration at the apparent ease with which the gunmen carried out the abduction despite the heavy military equipment stationed nearby.
Search and Rescue Operations Underway
The Nigerian Police Force confirmed the abduction and stated that tactical units, military personnel, and local vigilantes have been deployed to track the kidnappers and recover the students.
In a statement, the police emphasized their commitment to safeguarding lives and appealed for calm and cooperation from the public.
Life at the School Interrupted by Security Concerns
Monday’s abduction comes amid ongoing insecurity in northwest Nigeria, where school closures and heightened threats have disrupted education.
The school had recently reopened for final exams after a four-week closure due to regional instability.
Students were reportedly in their hostels when the gunmen attacked, forcing some to flee and others to be taken by vehicle or on foot for miles before being loaded into trucks.
History of Abductions in the Region
The kidnapping in Kebbi State is part of a long and troubling trend.
Between 2016 and 2017, Nigerian authorities rescued 108 girls from various kidnappings, though over 80 remain missing from past incidents.
More recently, in March 2024, 200 students were abducted from a school in Kaduna State during a brazen raid.
Witnesses described children as young as eight being taken by gunmen on motorcycles, along with one teacher.
The Human Cost of Ransom-Driven Attacks
Many victims of previous kidnappings recount being forced into marriage or held under harsh conditions for years.
The trauma for survivors and their families is profound, and the recurring attacks have heightened fear throughout the region.
Communities continue to call for stronger government protection and meaningful action against armed gangs.
A Plea for Security and Accountability
As search efforts continue in Kebbi State, officials stress the urgency of preventing further attacks.
Northwest Nigeria has seen a history of targeting educational institutions, making urgent reforms to security protocols, rapid response, and community protection essential.
Families, local leaders, and authorities alike are urging vigilance and cooperation as the search for the kidnapped students moves forward.
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