Parents Of Abducted Kebbi Schoolgirls Plead For Urgent Rescue

The parents of the 25 schoolgirls abducted by bandits in Maga, Kebbi State, have pleaded with the federal and state governments to expedite the rescue of their daughters.

According to the parents, they are now living in trauma, fearing for their daughters’ safety and well-being.

“Since the incident happened, my wife and her mother cannot sleep well or eat normally. We are in trauma, fear, and panic, thinking if my daughter is still alive,” said Malam Tukur Zakiru Maga, father of 17-year-old Surayya Tukur, an SS3 student.

Surayya’s mother, who broke down in tears, pleaded with the government to quicken efforts to rescue their daughters.

“Oh, my daughter Surayya, may God save you and rescue you from the hands of these bandits,” she said.

Another parent, Malam Nazifi Salihu Maga, father of 12-year-old Khadija, echoed similar sentiments.

“I am in serious pain and concern over the abduction of my daughter and others. I plead to the federal and state governments to help bring back our daughters,” he said.

Malam Tukur Zakiru Maga also revealed that the government had deployed more than 50 armoured  vehicles and scores of troops to search for the abducted girls.

“As part of the government efforts, we have seen more than 50 armoured vehicles belonging to the Nigerian Army and scores of troops fully armed in all the areas where we are expecting the bandits to hide out,” he said.

LEADERSHIP Friday reports that the schoolgirls’ abduction has sparked widespread concern, with government officials, including Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris, visiting the community to offer sympathy and assurances of rescue efforts.

The parents are anxiously awaiting the safe return of their daughters, with many unable to eat or sleep since the incident.

Governors Condemn Act, Pledge Support

Meanwhile, the chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF) and the governor of Imo state, Hope Uzodinma, has condemned the abduction of 25 students of GGCSS Maga in Danko/Wasagu local government area of Kebbi State on Sunday.

He gave assurance that the forum will fully support the efforts by the federal and Kebbi governments in rescuing the students.

Uzodinma gave the assurance on Thursday when he led a delegation of APC governors on a sympathy visit to Governor Nasir Idris at the Government House in Birnin Kebbi.

He said that the Forum’s visit was to commiserate with the Kebbi State government and the parents of the victims, describing the abduction as horrible and unacceptable to APC governors.

“Your Excellency, the Comrade governor, in the past, we only heard of school attacks outside Nigeria and Africa; unfortunately, we never imagined such a dastardly act would happen here in your state, Kebbi,” Uzodinma said.

“As governors in the forum, we are united and committed to do everything possible to secure our daughters’ safety and also secure Nigeria to sustain our nascent democracy,” he added.

While urging the security personnel to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice, Uzodinma assured Governor Idris that the battle is not only for him alone but a collective responsibility to free the schoolgirls and track down the abductors.

Governor Nasir Idris thanked the governors’ forum for the solidarity visit, noting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had taken swift action for the immediate release of the abducted students.

“Again, we have already directed Islamic clerics to pray massively for the safe return of the schoolgirls,” said Governor Idris.

The governors of Jigawa, Benue, Kogi, and Ondo, as well as the deputy governor of Nasarawa State, ministers, and members of the House of Representatives, were part of Hope Uzodinma’s delegation.