Twenty-four of the schoolgirls abducted from Government Girls Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State have been rescued, security sources revealed on Tuesday.
The circumstances surrounding their rescue remain unclear as of press time, but authorities are expected to issue an official statement later tonight.
The girls were kidnapped on November 17 when armed bandits stormed the school, killing an official and injuring a security guard before whisking away 25 students. Shortly after the attack, two of the abducted girls managed to escape. According to a BBC report quoting Hussaini Aliyu, an official of Danko Wasagu LGA, the pair fled into nearby farmlands while being marched into the bush.
On November 19, Aliyu, who chairs the Danko/Wasagu LGA, released the names of the 25 abducted students, arranged by class category.
Following the attack, the police deployed additional tactical units to the area, backed by military personnel and local vigilante groups. Commissioner of Police Bello Sani said the combined team had been combing forests and suspected escape routes in a coordinated search-and-rescue effort.
Similarly, Chief of Army Staff Taoreed Lagbaja directed troops under Operation FANSAN YANMA to intensify operations and “leave no stone unturned” in locating the missing girls.
President Bola Tinubu also intervened, ordering Bello Matawalle, minister of state for defence, to travel to Kebbi and directly oversee security operations aimed at securing the students’ release.
Further details on how the rescue unfolded are expected from security agencies.