Kebbi Schoolgirls Abduction: Slain VP’s wife narrates how daughter survived deadly attack

The wife of the slain Vice Principal of Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School, Maga, has narrated how her daughter narrowly escaped during the deadly attack that led to the abduction of 25 schoolgirls in Kebbi State.

Amina Hassan, speaking with News Point Nigeria, recalled that the attackers stormed their home around 3:30 a.m. while the family was asleep.

She said she initially mistook the sound behind their window for animals.

“We were asleep around 3:30 a.m. when I heard movements behind our window. I woke my husband to tell him that the animals were destroying our things outside. Before I knew it, there was a bang on our door and it was forcefully opened,” she narrated.

According to her, they only realised it was an armed gang when the intruders burst into the house. “We started struggling with them. Then one of them pulled out his gun and shot my husband. Then they dragged me by my hand outside the house,” she explained.

She said she refused to follow them even after her husband was killed. “I told them to leave me alone, that I would not go with them since they have killed the father of my children.”

During the chaos, her daughter stepped out of the house. “They left me and went to her. They took her and led her to the hostel,” she said.

Mrs Hassan said the attackers told her daughter to lie down so they could shoot her, but the young girl tricked them by asking to go and ease herself. At that moment, the gunmen spotted other girls in the hostel and shifted their attention, allowing her daughter to escape into the bush and return home at daybreak.

Residents said the gunmen operated freely, spreading fear across the community. The slain Vice Principal, identified as Makuku, was shot while trying to protect his students.

Kebbi Police PRO, CSP Nafiu Abubakar, confirmed the killing and abduction of the 25 female students, saying security operatives were combing nearby forests in search of the victims.

Governor Nasir Idris, through his Chief Press Secretary, Ahmed Idris, said the Deputy Governor, Senator Umar Tafida, had visited the school. He added that the governor, though out of the state, was receiving ongoing security briefings. The Federal Government also condemned the attack, with Information Minister Mohammed Idris stating that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had directed security agencies to ensure the safe rescue of the victims, describing the safety of students as a core national duty.

Parents remain traumatised and anxious as the search continues, while residents mourn Makuku, who died defending his students.

Northern Governors Express Outrage

The Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) has strongly condemned the attack. Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, who chairs the Forum, described the incident as tragic and unacceptable. He said targeting schools threatens both the region’s stability and the nation’s educational progress.

He commiserated with Governor Nasir Idris and the people of Kebbi State, assuring them of the Forum’s solidarity and support.

Governor Yahaya emphasised that schools must be sanctuaries of learning and not centres of violence.

He also raised concerns over the trauma the abducted girls may be facing and urged security agencies to carry out an immediate, coordinated rescue operation.

The Forum reaffirmed its commitment to work with the Federal Government to safeguard the welfare and education of young Nigerians. Governor Yahaya prayed for the safe return of the students and called on communities to remain vigilant and support security agencies in the fight against criminality.

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