By Prosper Mene
The Kebbi State Government announced today that none of the 24 schoolgirls recently rescued from bandit captivity showed any evidence of sexual abuse.
The disclosure came during an emotional handover ceremony at the Government House in Birnin Kebbi, where the girls were reunited with their parents after more than a week in the hands of suspected armed bandits.
Dr. Halima Bande, the state’s Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, addressed the gathered crowd, her voice steady with gratitude. “Today, we are in a happy mood. We are here to hand these girls over to their parents. We give all glory to our Creator, who made it possible for our leaders to actualize the rescue of these girls,” she said. Bande emphasized the comprehensive medical examinations conducted upon the girls’ recovery, revealing that all were “confirmed to be safe and free from any form of sexual abuse.” This assurance, she added, stands as the “greatest joy” amid the ordeal.
The abduction occurred in the dawn hours of November 17, when suspected bandits stormed the Government Girls’ Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, a remote town in Kebbi State’s Arewa Local Government Area. Gunfire echoed through the dormitories as 25 girls, aged between 12 and 15, were seized in a brazen raid that lasted mere minutes. One girl, displaying remarkable courage, managed to slip away during the chaos and raised the alarm, reducing the number held captive to 24.
President Bola Tinubu, in a national address on November 25, confirmed the successful rescue operation, crediting the collaborative efforts of state and federal security forces. “Our security agencies have demonstrated unwavering commitment to the safety of every Nigerian child,” Tinubu stated, vowing intensified action against the bandit networks plaguing the region. Credible sources indicate the girls were located and freed in the dense Bagega forest in neighboring Zamfara State’s Anka Local Government Area, a known hideout for armed groups.
The handover ceremony was a sight of tears, embraces, and quiet prayers. Parents like Abdulkarim Abdullahi, whose two daughters, 12-year-old twins were among the abducted waited anxiously for hours. “We were told they were safe, but hearing it confirmed. it’s like breathing again,” Abdullahi shared, clutching a photo of his girls. Security details escorted the families back to Maga under heavy protection, a precaution against potential reprisals from the bandits who, in a chilling video circulating online, boasted that the release came through negotiation rather than force.
Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi, flanked by former state governors in a rare show of unity, hailed the operation as a testament to inter-governmental harmony. “This is progress and togetherness,” he remarked, underscoring the collaborative spirit that bridged past political divides. The event also drew praise from international observers, with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) issuing a statement welcoming the girls’ safe return while urging sustained investment in school security across vulnerable regions.
