Two of the 25 female students abducted by bandits from Government Girls Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State have reportedly escaped from their captors.
Quoting Hussaini Aliyu, an official from Danko Wasagu LGA, the BBC reported that the students fled as they were being led into the bush by the bandits, escaping across nearby farmlands.
According to the report, Aliyu confirmed that the girls “are back and safe”, adding that one of them required medical treatment after injuring her leg while fleeing.
Gunmen attacked the school on Monday morning and kidnapped 25 female students during the raid.
Nafi’u Kotarkoshi, spokesperson for the Kebbi State Police Command, said Hassan Makuku, the school’s vice principal, was killed during the attack, while Ali Shehu, a security guard, sustained gunshot injuries to his right hand.
The BBC report noted that Shehu later died in the hospital from his wounds.
Mohammed Idris, minister of information and national orientation, said President Bola Tinubu has ordered the swift rescue of the abducted students.
Idris said Tinubu condemned the attack and reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to protecting Nigerians, especially schoolchildren.
Bello Muhammad Sani, commissioner of police in Kebbi, said additional police tactical units, alongside military personnel and vigilante groups, have been deployed.
He said the combined team is currently combing suspected escape routes and surrounding forests in a coordinated search-and-rescue operation aimed at recovering the abducted students and arresting the perpetrators.
