Two girls, who were among at least 25 children and a teacher kidnapped from their boarding school in north-western Nigeria’s Kebbi state on Monday, have managed to escape, according to a local official.
The pair fled when their armed captors were leading them into nearby bushland, managing to get away across farmland. According to Hussaini Aliyu of the Danko Wasagu council, the girls “are back and safe,” though one required medical attention after injuring her leg during the escape.
The attack left two staff members dead — a teacher who was killed while trying to defend the students and a security guard who later died in hospital from gunshot wounds.
Soldiers, police, and local volunteers are currently sweeping forested areas in an effort to locate and rescue the remaining captives taken by the gunmen. Addressing troops deployed to Kebbi state, Maj Gen Waidi Shaibu, Nigeria’s army chief of staff, urged relentless efforts, saying, “You must continue day and night fighting. We must find these children.”
Schools in northern Nigeria have frequently been targeted over the past decade by armed groups who abduct students to demand ransom or negotiate with authorities.
The gunmen, commonly referred to locally as “bandits,” reportedly stormed the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga town around 04:00 (03:00 GMT) on Monday. Parents of the missing students now face an agonizing wait for news.
One father, whose daughter remains in captivity, said his family had been in tears constantly and that returning home to see their faces was unbearable. He explained that he has two daughters enrolled at the school; one had managed to hide successfully, but the other was captured. Both had initially taken refuge in a toilet, but when the attackers threatened to kill anyone hiding, one of the girls panicked and came out.
He rushed to the school after hearing of the attack during early-morning prayers and has stayed there ever since. He described his missing daughter as bright and easy-going.
Authorities reported that the gunmen exchanged fire with police stationed at the school before climbing the perimeter fence and taking the girls from their hostel.
The security guard who died had both a granddaughter and great-granddaughter at the school; both are among those abducted. His daughter described the trauma of finding him in a pool of blood before learning that her own child and grandchild had also been taken. She said she has been unable to eat or sleep since the attack.
The incident underscores the ongoing security challenges in the region and the fear gripping many families.
Nigeria’s central government has expressed deep concern over the kidnappings. In a statement, the information minister said authorities share the pain of affected families and are working urgently to rescue the students. He noted that President Bola Tinubu remains committed to safeguarding all citizens, particularly schoolchildren.