By Rejoice Peterside
Tension has enveloped the Maga community in Kebbi State after terrorists launched a deadly pre-dawn attack on the Government Girls’ Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area, abducting 25 students and killing a staff member.
The attack, which occurred around 4:00am on Monday, saw the gunmen armed with sophisticated weapons invade the school premises and open fire as they forced their way in.
Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Nafiu Abubakar Kotarkoshi, in a statement issued shortly after the incident, said police operatives deployed to the school engaged the attackers in a gun duel.
He said, “The suspected bandits had already scaled through the fence of the school and abducted twenty-five students from their hostel to an unknown destination.”
According to him, one staff member, Hassan Makuku, was shot dead, while another, Ali Shehu, sustained gunshot wounds to his right hand.
Abubakar added that the command had immediately deployed more tactical squads, in collaboration with the military and local vigilante groups, to track down the terrorists and rescue the abducted students.
“They are currently combing the bandits’ routes and nearby forests with a view to rescuing the abducted students and possibly arresting the perpetrators of the dastardly act,” he said.
He also quoted the Commissioner of Police, CP Bello M. Sani, as reaffirming the command’s resolve to protect lives and property across the state, urging residents to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies.
Confirming the development, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ahmed Idris, said the exact number of abducted students was still being verified. He disclosed that the Deputy Governor, Senator Umar Tafida, had been dispatched to the school to assess the situation on behalf of Governor Nasir Idris, who is currently out of the state.
He assured parents and residents that the government was working closely with security agencies to ensure the safe return of the students and restore normalcy in the community.
Grief and anxiety continue to grip Maga as families await updates on the fate of their children.
Monday’s attack mirrors previous assaults on schools in the state. In June 2021, bandits abducted students of the Federal Government Girls College, Birnin Yauri. Seven months later, in January 2022, 30 of the students and a teacher were released after prolonged captivity.
About Author
