PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu has dispatched Vice President Kashim Shettima to Kebbi State to commiserate with the government and families of students abducted from a boarding school in Maga, even as he assured anxious parents that the Federal Government is committed to securing the schoolgirls’ safe and swift return.
The President’s directive follows the devastating abduction carried out by bandits, who stormed the community despite earlier intelligence alerts warning of a possible attack.
The incident has triggered nationwide outrage and renewed concerns over the safety of schools in vulnerable regions.
In a statement sent to News Point Nigeria on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu condemned the attack, describing it as a “heartless disruption” of the education of innocent girls.
He commended Kebbi State Governor Mohammed Nasir Idris for previously taking proactive steps to avert the kidnapping, despite the eventual breach.
The Vice President is expected to arrive in Kebbi on Wednesday to convey the President’s solidarity with the victims’ families and reassure them of the government’s determination to deploy all available resources to bring the schoolgirls home safely.
Beyond the Kebbi abduction, President Tinubu also extended heartfelt condolences to the Nigerian military following the death of several soldiers among them Brigadier General Musa Uba who were killed while combating insurgents in Borno State.
The President noted that he had been fully briefed on both tragic incidents and expressed deep sorrow over the loss of the brave officers.
“As the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, I am depressed with the tragic death of our soldiers and officers on active duty. May God comfort the families of Brigadier General Musa Uba and other fallen heroes,” he said.
He praised the troops for their courage and sacrifice while reaffirming his administration’s commitment to strengthening military capability and boosting morale in ongoing counterterrorism operations.
President Tinubu used the opportunity to emphasise the crucial role of citizens in the fight against insecurity, urging local communities to share timely intelligence with security agencies to help prevent future attacks.
“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.
He appealed specifically to communities in conflict-prone zones to intensify collaboration with the military, police, and Department of State Services (DSS), stressing that such cooperation is vital for identifying suspicious movements and flushing out criminal gangs.
President Tinubu said he has already directed the Nigerian security architecture to respond firmly and immediately to the Kebbi attack.
“I have directed the security agencies to act swiftly and bring the girls back to Kebbi State,” he assured.