THE Chairman of Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area in Kebbi State, Hussaini Aliyu, has dismissed claims by a U.S. lawmaker, Riley Moore, suggesting that the abduction of 25 female students from Government Secondary School, Maga, occurred in a Christian community.
Aliyu, in a statement sent to News Point Nigeria on Wednesday, said the claim was false, misleading, and capable of inflaming religious tensions in the country. He stressed that all the abducted schoolgirls are Muslims, contrary to the narrative being circulated by the American politician.
The local government chairman urged Moore to stop making statements without verification, especially on sensitive national security issues.
According to Aliyu, the Zuru Emirate under which the Maga community falls—has enjoyed decades of peaceful coexistence and has never recorded any religious crisis.
“It is unfortunate that a lawmaker from another country would make comments that could divide our people at a time when all hands are on deck to rescue the girls,” Aliyu said.
“Nigeria is dealing with a tragedy. This is not the time for misinformation.”
He also questioned the motive behind the U.S. lawmaker’s remarks, saying such statements only serve to portray Nigeria negatively on the global stage.
In an effort to maintain transparency and dispel misinformation, Aliyu released the names of the 25 abducted students:
Senior Secondary School 2A
Fatima Sani Zimri
Hafsat Ibrahim
Nana Firdausi Jibril
Masauda Yakubu Romo
Senior Secondary School 2B
5. Hauwa Saleh
6. Hauwau Umar Imam
Senior Secondary School 3A & 3B
7. Salima Garba Umar
8. Salima Sani Zimri
9. Amina G. Umar
10. Rashida Muhammad Dingu
11. Saliha Umar
12. Aisha Usman
13. Jamila Iliyasu
14. Maryam Illiyasu
15. Najaatu Abdullahi
16. Zainab Kolo
Junior Secondary School 3A
17. Surraya Tukur
18. Hafsat Umar Yalmo
19. Maryam Usman
20. Amina Illiyasu
21. Ikilima Suleman
Junior Secondary School 2
22. Khadija Nazifi
23. Hauwa’u Iliyasu
24. Hauwa’u Lawali
25. Ummu Kulsum Abdulkarim
Riley Moore, in a post on X, had asked the public to pray for the students and the soul of the vice principal killed during the attack. He claimed—without substantiating—that the incident occurred in a “Christian enclave in Northern Nigeria.”
“While we don’t have all the details on this horrific attack, we know that the attack occurred in a Christian enclave,” he wrote, urging the Nigerian government to do more to curb insecurity.
Nigerian officials and community leaders have since rejected this version of events.
The attack, which occurred early Monday morning, also resulted in the death of the school’s Vice Principal, Malam Hassan Makuku, who reportedly confronted the armed bandits in a heroic attempt to stop them from abducting the girls.
Security authorities said a combined tactical team has been deployed and is combing nearby forests in search of the abducted students.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu condemned the attack and extended his condolences to the families of the victims. In a demonstration of urgency, the President postponed his scheduled trips to Johannesburg and Luanda for two major international summits.
He directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to travel to Kebbi State to meet with traditional rulers, affected families, and security operatives involved in the rescue mission.
The federal government reiterated its commitment to ensuring the safe return of the schoolgirls and intensifying the fight against criminal elements across the country.