The Nigerian Senate has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to direct the Armed Forces to immediately recruit at least 100,000 additional personnel to strengthen efforts against the escalating insecurity across the country.
The resolution followed a motion of urgent national importance raised by Senator Abdullahi Yahaya (Kebbi North), who reported a recent terrorist attack in Kebbi South Senatorial District, during which gunmen invaded a girls’ secondary school, abducted 25 students, and fatally injured the school’s vice principal.
Describing the attack as “a slap on the face of our nation,” Yahaya condemned repeated assaults on schools, noting that such incidents not only endanger lives but also discourage girls from pursuing education. He recalled a similar abduction in 2022 from another government school in Kebbi, which took four years to resolve.
“This terrorism targeting students must stop,” he urged, calling on security agencies to track down the perpetrators and for President Tinubu to leave no stone unturned in bringing them to justice.
Senate Action and Investigation
In response to the abductions, the Senate also established an ad hoc committee, including members from the Committee on Finance, to investigate the funding, spending, and effectiveness of the Safe School Initiative. Lawmakers expressed concern over whether allocated funds for securing schools were properly utilized.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the pattern of school abductions as “a troubling recurrence,” recalling the 2014 kidnapping of the Chibok girls. He warned that the latest attacks come at a time when the international community is closely monitoring Nigeria’s security situation.
The Senate observed a minute of silence in honor of the vice principal, Malam Hassan Makuku, who was killed while protecting students during the attack.
Attack on Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School
According to reports, the gunmen struck the Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School (GGCSS) in Maga, Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area, on Sunday night. The attackers abducted 25 students and killed Vice Principal Makuku, who reportedly tried to shield the students during the invasion. Witnesses said the bandits operated with little resistance, causing widespread panic in the region.
Federal Government Condemns Attack
The Federal Government, through Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris, condemned the attack and vowed to secure the release of the abducted schoolgirls. Security and intelligence agencies have been directed to locate and safely return the students, and ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice. President Tinubu reiterated that protecting every Nigerian, especially schoolchildren, remains a solemn responsibility of the state.
Kebbi State Governor Assures Parents
Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State visited Maga on Monday, meeting with security agencies, traditional rulers, and parents of the abducted students. He assured the parents that all possible efforts are underway to rescue their children.
“The unfortunate thing has already happened. They have abducted our children. We came here, we saw things for ourselves, and we met the parents whose children were taken,” Governor Idris said. “We gave them confidence, and we gave them our word that we will do everything possible to ensure that their children are rescued. Security agencies will do everything necessary. That is the essence of our coming to Maga—to see the people and give them confidence and words of encouragement.”
