President Tinubu orders urgent Kebbi schoolgirls rescue mission as troops and security officials are deployed to combat attacks on schools and worship centres.
Nigeria President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has mobilised top security officials to coordinate the ongoing Kebbi schoolgirls rescue operation following the abduction of 24 students from Government Girls’ Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Sakaba Local Government Area.
The President’s swift action aims to secure the safe release of the girls and prevent further attacks on vulnerable communities.
The schoolgirls were kidnapped in the early hours of Monday, prompting nationwide concern and immediate response from the federal government.
In response, Tinubu has deployed the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, to Kebbi State.
Matawalle, a former governor of Zamfara State with extensive experience in tackling mass kidnappings and banditry, is expected to supervise field operations and provide direct updates to the President on the progress of the Kebbi schoolgirls rescue mission.
According to Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Matawalle’s deployment is strategic due to his prior experience managing large-scale security crises, including the abduction of 279 female students from Government Girls Science Secondary School, Jangebe, in 2021.
That incident, which was successfully resolved with the release of all victims, highlights his capacity to handle complex security challenges, an asset now critical to the ongoing Kebbi schoolgirls rescue efforts.
President Tinubu had earlier postponed his planned trips to Johannesburg for the G20 Summit and Luanda for the AU–EU Summit to personally oversee national security operations.
The President’s concern is heightened by recent attacks on schools and religious centres, including the violent assault on worshippers at Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State.
He has ordered strengthened security measures nationwide, with particular focus on educational institutions and religious centres, ensuring the continuity of the Kebbi schoolgirls rescue operation.
In Kwara State, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq confirmed that over 900 additional troops have been deployed to enhance security following the attack on church worshippers.
Speaking in Ilorin during a meeting with the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and local community leaders, AbdulRazaq said the government is actively reinforcing protection for schools and places of worship.
He praised CAN for its unity and support and assured residents that the administration is committed to restoring peace and security.
The governor also condemned the attacks on rice farmers in Bokungi, Edu Local Government Area, describing them as unacceptable.
During his visit to Eruku, AbdulRazaq led a delegation including the Commissioner of Police, the State Director of the Department of State Services, and senior officials to meet with affected residents.
They visited both the palace of the Owa of Eruku, Oba Busari Olarewaju, and the church where the attack occurred.
He also highlighted the importance of road infrastructure for regional security and economic stability, including plans to rehabilitate the Eruku road and advocate for the dualisation of the Ilorin–Kabba highway.
At the federal level, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) condemned the abduction of students in Kebbi and the attack in Kwara, describing the incidents as a serious threat to education and public safety.
Paul Odenyi, Deputy Director of Communication and Media at NOA, emphasized that acts of this nature undermine efforts to promote educational access, particularly for girls.
Additionally, the Director General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Prof. Abubakar O. Sulaiman, has called for a full review of Nigeria’s security framework.
He urged enhanced intelligence gathering, improved logistics, and strengthened collaboration between state and non-state actors.
Prof. Sulaiman condemned the Eruku attack as “one attack too many” and stressed the importance of decisive action to combat banditry and kidnapping.
The ongoing Kebbi schoolgirls rescue operation has attracted national attention, highlighting both the persistent threats to education and the federal government’s commitment to protecting vulnerable populations.
President Tinubu’s leadership and strategic deployment of security personnel underscore the administration’s focus on proactive measures to prevent future incidents and ensure swift response to ongoing crises.
As the operation continues, authorities remain vigilant, with updates expected from Minister Matawalle on the ground.
The government’s combined efforts aim not only to rescue the kidnapped girls but also to restore public confidence in school safety and community security.
The Kebbi schoolgirls rescue mission exemplifies a coordinated federal response to the challenges of banditry, ensuring that such attacks are met with decisive and strategic action.
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