In a chilling incident, terrorists have once again struck, this time targeting innocent schoolgirls in the state of Kebbi. On a dark Monday night, at least 25 young girls from the Maga Comprehensive Girls' Secondary School were abducted by these ruthless attackers. The school, located in the Danko Wasagu Local Government Area, has become a symbol of the ongoing crisis in the region.
The terrorists, known locally as bandits, not only took the girls but also took the lives of a teacher, Hassan Makuku, and a local guard, identified only as Ali. The brazen attack unfolded despite the presence of two military checkpoints near the school, raising questions about the effectiveness of security measures.
Locals revealed that the bandits entered the area through the Zamfara forests, a route that seems to have been carefully planned. One source, a resident near Maga town, shared with PREMIUM TIMES that one checkpoint is located in Damarke, approximately seven kilometers from the school, under the jurisdiction of Bukkuyum Local Government Area in Zamfara State. Another checkpoint, according to traditional leaders and locals, is situated less than a kilometer from the school, at Rabah junction in Maga.
The traditional ruler, speaking on condition of anonymity due to fear of retribution, estimated that 25 students were abducted, all from one of the school's hostels, as the school operates as a boarding institution.
What makes this incident particularly concerning is the intelligence that was available beforehand. PREMIUM TIMES spoke to two traditional leaders and a resident of a nearby community, who confirmed that there was prior knowledge of the impending attack. The Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, had instructed soldiers at the Ribah junction checkpoint to mobilize to the school.
However, the soldiers' presence at the school ended around midnight, just before the bandits struck. This sequence of events suggests a potential failure in the coordination and response of security forces, leaving the school and its students vulnerable.
The silence from the police, military, and the Kebbi State Government regarding this incident is also noteworthy. As the situation unfolds, PREMIUM TIMES will continue to provide updates, shedding light on the ongoing crisis and the challenges faced by the region.
