Nigeria’s relentless kidnapping crisis has taken another devastating turn after armed bandits raided a girls’ boarding school in Maga, Kebbi State, abducting at least 25 schoolgirls and killing a school staff member. The attack, which occurred in the early hours of Monday, marks yet another blow to the nation’s already fragile security landscape.
The invasion happened at the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, located in the Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area. Witnesses say the assailants arrived with sophisticated weapons, engaging security operatives in a gun battle before forcing their way into the dormitory and seizing the students. The school’s Vice Principal lost his life in the attack, while one schoolgirl managed to escape. Search and rescue operations are now underway to locate the remaining 24 missing students.
Nigeria’s President was reportedly forced to postpone an international trip following the incident. He has directed all security agencies to mobilize resources and ensure the safe return of the abducted girls.
Although no group has claimed responsibility, the attack mirrors the tactics of criminal gangs operating in northern Nigeria—groups known for kidnapping schoolchildren to demand ransom. Experts believe the targeting of schools remains a profitable strategy for these criminals, who exploit the lack of security in remote areas.
This tragedy adds to the alarming history of school abductions in Nigeria. Since the Chibok schoolgirls’ kidnapping in 2014, more than 1,500 students across the country have been abducted. What began as an insurgency has expanded into widespread banditry, affecting states across the North-West, North-Central, and even reaching the Federal Capital Territory.
UNICEF condemned the Kebbi abduction, stressing the urgent need to protect schools, students, and education workers. The agency called for the unconditional release of the kidnapped schoolgirls and emphasized that Nigerian children must not live in fear simply for seeking education.
Residents of Maga described the attack as terrifying, sharing emotional accounts of the chaos and loss. Many families say they no longer feel safe sending their children to school. Civil society groups have also questioned why security warnings reportedly issued days earlier were not acted upon.
The Kebbi kidnapping highlights the need for a more aggressive and effective national security strategy. Experts recommend stronger school protection measures, improved intelligence systems, targeted operations to dismantle bandit networks, and long-term solutions addressing poverty and unemployment—factors that fuel insecurity.
As the nation awaits updates, the safe rescue of the 24 abducted schoolgirls remains the top priority. The world continues to watch as Nigeria battles one of its most harrowing security challenges.
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