COAS visits Kebbi, vows safe return of abducted schoolgirls

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, on Tuesday visited Maga community in Kebbi State, directing troops of Operation Fasan Yamma to go “all out” in the search for students kidnapped from Government Girls Secondary School, Maga.

During his assessment visit, Shaibu warned that bandits had developed a pattern of targeting soft spots and emphasized the need to counter such attacks with superior strategy, intelligence, and relentless operations.

“You must continue day and night fighting.”

“We must find these children,” he instructed, urging commanders to act decisively and professionally on actionable intelligence.

The Army Chief also met with local vigilantes and hunters assisting security forces, highlighting their critical role in providing local intelligence and navigating the terrain.

“If we have people like you, you are the ones who will work with us and provide local intelligence. You know these forests; you know where the criminals hide,” he said.

Shaibu condemned the bandits’ aim to instill fear and disrupt education, adding, “What these evil people are trying to do is scare children from going to school. Let every man know we will not allow that.”

He praised the courage of the vigilantes and assured them of ongoing military support.

Earlier, Shaibu paid condolences to the traditional ruler of Danko, Abubakar Allaje, and the principal of the attacked school, Rabi Magaji, reaffirming the Army’s commitment to the safe return of the abducted students.

“We are fully committed. We will not relent. The safety of these children is a national priority, and we are deploying every resource to ensure they return home safely,” he stated.

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