Twenty-four students abducted from Government Girls Secondary School, Maga, have been formally handed over to the Kebbi State First Lady, Zainab Nasare Idris, following their successful rescue. The state’s Commissioner of Education, Halima Bande, led the handover on Wednesday, assuring citizens that all the girls were in stable condition.
Bande said the students showed no signs of physical harm and commended the state government’s rapid response. She described Governor Nasir Idris as “relentless” throughout the week-long ordeal, noting that he personally monitored efforts to secure the girls’ release.
Parents of the rescued schoolgirls expressed overwhelming relief. Malam Illiyasu Garba, speaking on their behalf, said families had remained hopeful because they trusted the governor’s commitment. “We had firm belief that whatever the governor Idris cannot do does not exist,” he said.
The commissioner also extended appreciation to the Nigerian military, religious leaders, and other stakeholders whose collaboration made the rescue possible. She highlighted the coordination among security agencies as key to the operation’s success.
Receiving the students, First Lady Zainab Nasare Idris said the entire state had been anxious since the abduction. She praised the rescue mission for its speed, emphasising that the girls’ return within one week demonstrated the seriousness with which the government addressed the crisis.
The First Lady urged parents to remain confident in the state’s education system, stressing that the incident should not discourage school attendance. She assured the public that stronger security measures would be put in place to prevent similar attacks.
Offering prayers of gratitude, she said the safe recovery of the girls was a blessing for the people of Kebbi and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to safeguarding all schools across the state.
