The 24 students abducted by bandits from Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School (GGCSS), Maga, in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State, have been released.
Their freedom was secured through a non-kinetic strategy adopted by the Federal Government—an approach centred on dialogue, negotiation, and confidence-building rather than military force.
A senior government official confirmed the development to The Nation, noting that the girls have not yet been formally reunited with their families.
The successful release was achieved through coordinated efforts involving the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Department of State Services (DSS).
The abduction in Kebbi, which occurred shortly after a similar incident in Niger State, generated widespread national and international concern. In response, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-General Waidi Shaibu, issued firm directives for intensified operations to secure the students’ release.
The return of the girls brings significant relief to their families and the wider community. It also highlights the government’s increasing reliance on peaceful, negotiation-based methods to address mass abductions across the country.
