Armed men stormed a girls’ secondary school in Kebbi State, northwestern Nigeria, killing a teacher and abducting at least 25 students in a pre‑dawn raid on Monday. Police confirmed the attackers engaged security personnel in a gunbattle before breaching the compound and seizing the girls from their hostel GhanaWeb France 24 CBS News Sky News The Telegraph Nigeria.
Details of the Attack
- The assault occurred around 04:00 local time at the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Danko‑Wasagu area.
- Eyewitnesses described a large group of armed men, locally referred to as bandits, who fired sporadically to create panic.
- One staff member was killed while attempting to protect students; another sustained gunshot wounds and is receiving treatment.
- The abducted girls were reportedly marched into nearby forests and bushland, raising fears of prolonged captivity GhanaWeb France 24 CBS News.
Security Response
Police said additional tactical units, military personnel, and vigilante groups have been deployed to the area. A search and rescue operation is under way across surrounding forests and suspected escape routes. Authorities have not yet identified the group responsible, though such attacks are often linked to criminal gangs specializing in kidnapping for ransom France 24 Sky News The Telegraph Nigeria.
Broader Context
This incident is the latest in a series of mass school abductions that have plagued northern Nigeria for more than a decade. The most infamous occurred in Chibok, Borno State, in 2014, when 276 girls were kidnapped by Boko Haram, sparking global outrage. While Monday’s attack is the first major mass abduction in over a year, it underscores Nigeria’s ongoing multi‑dimensional security crisis, with bandit groups exploiting weak rural defenses France 24 CBS News.
Outlook
Authorities say the priority remains the safe recovery of the abducted students. Families in Maga are anxiously awaiting updates, while human rights groups warn that continued attacks on schools threaten both education access and community stability across northern Nigeria.
Sources: GhanaWeb, France24 BS News CBS News, Sky News, The Telegraph Nigeria.
