Kebbi State Schoolgirls Released Following Mass Abduction in Nigeria
Birnin Kebbi, nigeria – All 24 schoolgirls abducted from their school in Kebbi State, Nigeria, have been released and are currently in the custody of authorities, officials confirmed Monday. The release comes amid a surge in mass abduction incidents across nigeria,highlighting the ongoing security challenges facing the nation.
The girls were taken from their school in Kebbi State, a primarily Muslim institution, in a recent raid. Musa Rabi Magaji, the school’s principal, confirmed their freedom to the Associated Press but stated he had no immediate information regarding their condition. Parents, like Abdulkarim Abdullahi, whose two daughters, aged 12 and 13, were among those abducted, expressed relief. “I am excited to receive the news of their freedom.The past few days have been difficult for me and my family, especially their mother,” Abdullahi said in a telephone interview. He added that authorities informed him the girls were being transported to Birnin Kebbi, the state capital.
The incident is part of a disturbing pattern of recent mass abductions in Nigeria. Just days prior, over 300 students and staff were abducted from St Mary’s school in Niger state, with 50 escaping over the weekend.
A statement from the government indicated a commitment to increased security measures. “I am relieved that all the 24 girls have been accounted for. Now, we must put as a matter of urgency more boots on the ground in the vulnerable areas to avert further incidents of kidnapping,” the statement read.
Meanwhile,38 worshippers kidnapped during a church attack in Kwara state on November 18th have also regained their freedom,according to Kwara governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq. Two people were killed in that attack.
While no group has claimed duty for these recent abductions, authorities and analysts point to armed bandit groups who frequently target schools, travellers, and rural communities for ransom. These gangs are largely comprised of former herders involved in ongoing conflicts with farming communities over dwindling resources.
School kidnappings have become a defining feature of insecurity in Nigeria, with at least 1,500 students seized since the 2014 abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls. many of those abducted have only been released after ransom payments. Arrests remain rare in these hotspots.
The situation is unfolding as US President Donald Trump has claimed persecution of Christians in Nigeria, though attacks have impacted both Christian and Muslim communities.
