Vice President Kashim Shettima will today lead a delegation to Kebbi State to convey the Federal Government’s solidarity and deliver a message of reassurance to the families of abducted pupils.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reiterated his directive to security agencies to move swiftly to rescue the schoolgirls abducted from Government Girls’ Comprehensive Senior Secondary School, Maga, in Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
He assured Nigerians that the children would be brought home safely.
In a statement yesterday by his spokesman Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu said he had received full briefings from military authorities regarding both the abduction and the separate loss of soldiers in Borno State.
The statement reads: “As Commander-in-Chief, I am depressed by the tragic death of our officers on active duty.
“May God comfort the families of Brigadier-General Musa Uba and other fallen heroes,” he said.
He commended Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris for his efforts to prevent the attack despite prior intelligence warning of bandit movement in the area.
The President condemned the attack, describing it as a cruel disruption of the education of innocent girls.
He urged communities in vulnerable regions to strengthen intelligence-sharing with security agencies.
“Our forces cannot succeed without the cooperation of the people. Timely information is crucial,” he said.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to securing schools nationwide.
Condemnation trailed the killing of the school’s vice principal and the abduction of 25 pupils.
Legislators, the First Lady, governors, UNICEF and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) all demanded urgent action to halt what they described as the worsening attacks on schools and security personnel.
During an operational visit to Kebbi, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, ordered troops of Operation Fasin Yamma to intensify search-and-rescue efforts.
“We must find these children. Act decisively on all intelligence. Success is not optional,” he told field commanders.
He met with local vigilantes and hunters, urging closer collaboration based on their knowledge of the terrain.
The COAS also paid condolence visits to the Danko monarch and the school principal, assuring them of the military’s “unwavering commitment” to rescuing the girls unharmed.
First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu described the attack as a painful assault on the nation’s values of safety, learning and human dignity.
“This heartbreaking incident is not only an attack on innocent girls and dedicated educators, but an assault on the values schools embody,” she said in a statement.
She offered prayers for the families and reiterated that the President had already ordered security agencies to ensure the girls’ swift rescue.
The Senate, after a motion by former Senate Leader Yahaya Abdullahi, observed a minute of silence for the slain vice principal and Brig-Gen Uba.
It urged security agencies to urgently rescue the abducted students and set up an ad hoc committee to investigate the implementation of the Safe Schools Initiative.
Lawmakers also called on the Federal Government to recruit an additional 100,000 security personnel to strengthen the fight against terrorism.
Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda described the abduction as “the worst form of criminality” and urged security agencies to intensify efforts.
“This attack on a school is an assault on our collective future,” he said.
Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu also condemned the killings and called for the immediate rescue of the pupils.
UNICEF said no child should risk death or abduction in pursuit of education.
“Students and schools must be protected under international laws, and those responsible must be held to account,” the statement said.
The NBA condemned the Kebbi abduction and the killing of Brig-Gen Uba, warning that Nigeria faces a “growing culture of brazen violence”.
NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN), demanded a time-bound rescue mission, a full inquiry into security lapses, prosecution of terrorism financiers, and full implementation of the Safe Schools Initiative.
“This is about leadership, justice, and the soul of the nation. Delay is danger. The time to act is now,” he said.