Kebbi Girls’ Kidnap Big Blow To Education

Civil society groups in Kebbi State have condemned the recent abduction of 25 schoolgirls from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, branding the act a calculated attack on the region’s educational progress. The coalition’s chairman, Ibrahim Ngaski, voiced the condemnation during a press briefing with journalists in Birnin Kebbi.

“This heinous act is a direct attack on the safety, education and future of our children,” Ngaski said. “We condemn in the strongest terms the abduction and the violence against these innocent girls and their families. Education is a fundamental right; therefore, no child should live in fear of violence in whatsoever manner when pursuing their dreams.”

He urged state and federal authorities to step up search‑and‑rescue missions to bring the girls home safely and to strengthen security around schools and communities. He also called for the relocation of boarding schools in remote or vulnerable zones to safer sites, noting, “Relocate all boarding schools situated at remote areas or prone/vulnerable to attack across the state to more safer locations to prevent recurrence of such incidents.”

Ngaski further stressed the need for comprehensive psychological care for the victims’ families and full rollout of the Safe Schools Initiative, a programme Kebbi benefits from under the World Bank‑funded AGILE Project. He added that cooperation between Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara and Niger states on intelligence sharing and protection against terrorist groups is essential, as is sustained partnership with security agencies and local vigilant groups.

He appealed to the international community, the media and Nigerians at large to stand with the affected families and push for swift justice and stronger child‑protection measures.

“To this end, we call on parents, teachers and communities to remain vigilant and work closely with authorities. Let’s unite in condemning violence and defending the rights of every child to live and learn without fear,” Ngaski concluded.

Representatives of several resident CSOs attended the briefing.