By Gideon Maxwell
November 19, 2025
President Bola Tinubu has expressed deep dismay over the mass abduction of schoolgirls in Maga, Kebbi State, confirming that the attack by bandits took place despite earlier intelligence reports warning of a potential strike.
The President’s admission, contained in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has intensified public scrutiny regarding the operational failure of security agencies to act on the prior warnings.
The devastating attack occurred early on Monday at the Government Comprehensive Girls’ Secondary School in Maga, Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
Gunmen, referred to by the Presidency as “heartless terrorists,” abducted at least 25 schoolgirls from their dormitories.
Initial reports indicate the school’s Vice-Principal, Hassan Makuku, was killed while defending the students, and a security guard was injured.
President Tinubu was fully briefed on the incident, as well as the separate tragic death of Brigadier General Musa Uba and other soldiers in Borno State. In his statement, the President conveyed his profound sorrow and sense of being “depressed” by the dual tragedies.
Intelligence failure: The most significant revelation was the President’s acknowledgment that the abduction happened “despite intelligence warnings of a possible strike by the bandits,” indicating a security breach.
Directive for rescue: President Tinubu has directed security agencies to “act swiftly and bring the girls back to Kebbi State.”
VP dispatched: To underscore the government’s commitment, the President dispatched Vice President Kashim Shettima to Kebbi State on Wednesday to meet with state officials and assure the grieving families of the kidnapped girls.
Call for community cooperation
While lamenting the security failure, President Tinubu commended Kebbi State Governor Mohammed Nasir Idris for the efforts made to try and avert the kidnapping.
He also used the opportunity to urge citizens, especially those in security-vulnerable areas, to increase cooperation with security forces.
”Our security forces cannot succeed in protecting us if the people don’t cooperate and share information that will help them keep our communities safe,” the President stated, emphasising that public cooperation remains “crucial in our fight against these security challenges.”
The incident has drawn comparisons to past mass school abductions, such as the infamous Chibok (2014) and Dapchi (2018) incidents, reigniting fears about the safety of educational institutions in Nigeria’s Northern region and putting significant pressure on the government to demonstrate a robust and effective response.
Kebbi School Girls Abduction: Security Analysts Blame Intelligence Failure, Anticipate More Attacks
