Two of the 25 schoolgirls abducted by bandits from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State, have escaped from captivity.

Sources close to the school confirmed the development to sources.
According to one of the sources, who requested anonymity, it is not yet clear how the girls escaped, but they were found early on Tuesday morning.

This comes as the Nigerian government intensifies efforts to rescue the remaining 23 girls still held by the abductors.

On Monday, bandits attacked Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in the Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State and kidnapped the students.

Kebbi State, located in northern Nigeria, has experienced similar incidents in the past.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has arrived in Kebbi to motivate troops under Operation Fasan Yanma and ensure no effort is spared in the rescue operation.

He arrived with senior officers from the Army Headquarters, held an operational meeting with frontline commanders, and later addressed troops involved in the search.

How the Abduction Happened

Residents of Maga woke up in shock and sorrow following the deadly attack carried out by bandits early Monday morning. Locals said the attackers killed two people and abducted several female students.

According to reports, the gunmen stormed the school in the early hours of Monday and took away 25 students.

Local sources told sources that the bandits killed a school teacher before abducting the girls and later killed a school security guard.

Residents said they had heard earlier reports that the bandits had attacked and abducted people in nearby villages on Sunday, before coming to Maga.

A resident, Malam Abdullahi, narrated what happened:

“Around 3:30 a.m., we heard gunshots, but we thought it was the local vigilante group on patrol.
Later, around 4:30 a.m., we heard heavier shooting. When I went outside, people were running away from the school where the bandits had entered.”

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Survivor’s Account: “They Killed My Husband”

One woman whose husband was killed during the attack recounted how armed men invaded their home around 3 a.m. before heading to the students’ hostel.

She said she first heard movement outside their window.

“Around 3 a.m., I heard something outside. I tried to wake my husband to tell him it might be animals scattering our things,” she said.

Before they could understand what was happening, the attackers broke down their door.

“We struggled with them. One of the gunmen pulled a trigger and shot my husband.”

She said one of the bandits grabbed her and attempted to drag her outside, but she resisted, telling him she would not follow them after they had killed her children’s father.

As she argued with them, her daughter came out of the house. The gunmen then released her and carried the girl away.

“They took my daughter so she could lead them to the hostel,” she said.

Federal and State Governments React

The Federal Government has expressed deep concern and solidarity with the families of the students abducted from GGCSS Maga.

In a statement on Monday, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reaffirmed that the protection of all Nigerians—especially schoolchildren—remains a major responsibility of the government.

The government condemned the attack and the killing of school officials performing their duties.

“We share in their pain, and we are fully committed to bringing the girls back safely,” the statement read.

“Our security and intelligence agencies have been given clear instructions to locate, rescue, and safely recover the students, and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice. The Federal Government will not rest until this is achieved.”

The statement added that the government is strengthening the military, police, and intelligence systems to prevent future attacks and improve response times.

Meanwhile, Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, has assured parents that efforts are underway to rescue their children.

Speaking on Monday after visiting Maga and holding a closed-door meeting with security agencies, traditional rulers, and parents of the abducted students, he said:

“This unfortunate incident has happened. Our children have been kidnapped. We came here, saw things for ourselves, and met the parents of the victims.

“We assured them that we will do everything possible to rescue their children.
We also encouraged them to remain strong and assured them that security agencies are working tirelessly. We came to Maga to see the people and give them hope.”