By Olamilekan Abayomi
The Kebbi State Government held a heartfelt hand‑over ceremony on Tuesday, reuniting the 24 schoolgirls from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga with their families, and they didn’t forget to give a shout‑out to President Bola Tinubu for his role in the rescue . The atmosphere was a mix of tears, prayers, and relief as parents rushed to embrace their daughters after days of uncertainty.
Governor Nasir Idris announced that all the girls were rescued unharmed and that no ransom was paid, emphasizing that the military, DSS, police and other security outfits combed the forest to bring them back safely . The girls were handed over in Birnin Kebbi, where they received new clothes, a little cash and other relief items to help them get back on their feet.
President Tinubu, in a statement released by his spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, said he was “relieved that all the 24 girls have been accounted for” and urged the security agencies to put “more boots on the ground” in vulnerable areas to stop further kidnappings . He thanked the armed forces, police, civil defence and religious leaders for their relentless effort in securing the release.
The Maga abduction sparked a wave of copycat kidnappings, with 38 people freed in Eruku, Kwara State, and 50 students located in Niger State after similar attacks . These parallel incidents have put extra pressure on the federal government to tighten security across the north‑west and neighbouring regions.
Governor Idris praised the coordinated federal‑state response, noting that the president’s directive to keep the military on standby was pivotal in the successful operation . He also thanked traditional rulers, the Speaker of the House, and other officials who visited Kebbi during the crisis, highlighting the broad support the effort received.
As the girls settle back into their homes, there’s a cautious optimism that the heightened security measures and the president’s commitment will deter future attacks. The government says it will continue to provide trauma care and reintegration support for the students, hoping this reunion marks a turning point in the fight against banditry in the region.
