Overview
- Gunmen attacked the Government Girls’ Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi, before dawn on Nov. 17, seizing 25 students after exchanging fire with police and scaling the perimeter fence.
- Deputy head teacher Malam Hassan Makuku was shot dead and teacher Ali Shehu was wounded during the raid, according to state police.
- Police, army units and local vigilantes are combing forests and likely escape routes, and Army chief Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu ordered round‑the‑clock, intelligence‑led pursuit.
- President Bola Tinubu directed security agencies to act swiftly to recover the students, and no group has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping.
- At least one abducted student escaped and returned home, with 24 believed to remain in captivity as officials verify the exact count and analysts point to ransom‑seeking bandit gangs.