Judul : Schoolgirls Kidnapped: Tinubu Orders Defence Minister to Kebbi
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Schoolgirls Kidnapped: Tinubu Orders Defence Minister to Kebbi
On Thursday, President Bola Tinubu instructed the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, to move to Kebbi State to oversee security efforts aimed at rescuing schoolgirls who were taken earlier in the week.
"Previously, Matawalle served as the Governor of Zamfara State and was requested to stay in the state to oversee security operations aimed at facilitating the release of the kidnapped students," stated Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, in a statement released on Thursday night.
In the early hours of Monday, armed individuals stormed Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School located in Maga town, Kebbi State, and abducted a minimum of 24 students.
The Kebbi State administration stated that the assailants arrived approximately at 4:00 a.m., firing intermittently before leading the girls into the woods.
A senior official from the presidency informed our reporter that Matawalle is set to arrive in Birnin Kebbi, where he will oversee "on-the-ground coordination" with the military, police, and other security agencies already present in the affected region.
As per the official, the directive aims to utilize Matawalle's expertise in handling large-scale abductions during his time as governor of Zamfara from 2019 to 2023, when the North-West region faced a surge in school kidnappings.
On February 26, 2021, armed thieves kidnapped 279 female students from the Government Girls’ Science Secondary School located in Jangebe, Zamfara State.
Female individuals between the ages of 10 and 17 were released several days later following discussions that included federal and state authorities.
Tinubu, facing scrutiny following the Kebbi abductions and the assault on a church in Kwara State, also delayed his planned visits to Johannesburg, South Africa, and Luanda, Angola, to stay updated on the situation.
"The President had delayed his planned journey while waiting for additional security updates regarding the abducted Kebbi schoolgirls and the assault on followers of the Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara State," the statement mentioned.
The most recent kidnapping joins a prolonged series of attacks on schools since the 2014 disappearance of 276 girls from Chibok, Borno State, which sparked international anger.
APC govs visit
At the same time, a group from the Progressive Governors’ Forum, operating under the All Progressives Congress, visited Kebbi State Governor, Dr Nasir Idris, on Thursday to express their condolences following the kidnapping of 25 students from the Government Girls’ Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, located within the Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area.
Robbers attacked the school during the night on Monday, killing a security officer and taking the students with them.
The group, headed by PGF Chairman and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, called the kidnapping shocking and "deeply inhumane," stating that such violence goes against Nigeria's traditional and ethical standards.
Uzodimma stated that the APC governors would remain behind President Bola Tinubu and law enforcement bodies in their endeavors to address widespread insecurity, noting that the event was a shared trauma for the nation.
"An injury to one is an injury to all," he stated, assuring that the governors were prepared to offer logistical and network assistance to facilitate the capture of those responsible and the safe return of the girls.
Replying, Governor Idris called the visit important and comforting.
He mentioned that the attack had shocked families and the whole state, yet he showed faith in the continuous rescue operations.
He revealed that Vice President Kashim Shettima had previously come to the state to deliver President Tinubu's message of hope and strong dedication to ensuring the return of the kidnapped children.
The PGF delegation comprised the Governors of Benue, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia; Kogi, Ahmed Ododo; Ondo, Lucky Aiyedatiwa; Jigawa, Mallam Umar Namadi; and the Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State, Dr Emmanuel Akabe.
In the meantime, certain parents shared with our reporter that the missing girls were seen in a forest close to the village, although the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, CSP Nafiu Abubakar, mentioned that the command had not received such details.
The Governor's Special Advisor for Strategy and Communication, Abdullahi Idris, further mentioned that the government had not been reached out to by the kidnappers and has not received any demand for ransom.
Meanwhile, the MAGA community is scheduled to conduct a unique prayer gathering on Friday, requesting heavenly assistance for the safe return of the missing schoolgirls.
The leader of Maga, Muhammad Dantani, informed The PUNCH about the situation, stating that the community was still greatly disturbed and had turned to spiritual prayers for comfort.
"We have chosen to meet on Friday for a special prayer concerning the safe return of our daughters. The entire community is deeply affected, and we feel that prayer is our most powerful tool right now," Dantani stated.
The assault took place just an hour after security staff had been reportedly removed from the school, a move that parents and local leaders claim may have left the institution susceptible to the breach carried out by the attackers.
The kidnapping contributes to the increasing number of school abductions in northern Nigeria following the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls' case. Kebbi has previously experienced similar attacks in Yauri and other areas, causing ongoing anxiety among parents.
Inhabitants of Maga have been organizing evening meetings to support affected families and push officials to take quick action.
The unique prayer on Friday, anticipated to attract religious figures, customary leaders, political officials, and locals, will also feature prayers for peace and safety throughout the area.
A comparable prayer gathering took place in Zuru on Wednesday and Thursday amid growing concern for the girls' well-being.
Governor Idris has confirmed that all available resources are being gathered, with assistance from the Federal Government, to guarantee the secure retrieval of the kidnapped students.
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