Tinubu Gives Marching Orders after Attacks, Mass Abduction of Kebbi Scholgirls
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed security agencies to intensify nationwide operations following the deadly attacks on military personnel and the abduction of schoolgirls in Kebbi State.
The president issued the directive after receiving detailed briefings from the service chiefs and intelligence units on the latest wave of violence affecting parts of the North-West.
The attack on Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Ribah Local Government Area, occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, when armed men stormed the premises and forcefully took students from their hostels.
Local reports indicate that the assailants overpowered security personnel on duty, prompting an immediate mobilisation of troops, aerial reconnaissance units, and community-based volunteers to search surrounding forests and escape routes.
In a statement from the State House, Tinubu expressed deep sorrow over the death of Brigadier General Musa Uba and several other soldiers who were killed during separate operations.
He described their deaths as a tragic loss to the nation and extended condolences to their families, assuring them that their sacrifices would not be forgotten.
The president also condemned the raid on the school and vowed that the culprits would be pursued relentlessly.
He emphasised that bringing the abducted schoolgirls home safely is now a top priority for the federal government. Vice-President Kashim Shettima has been dispatched to Kebbi to coordinate efforts, meet state officials, and engage directly with the affected community to reassure families awaiting news of their children.
Tinubu further stressed that effective collaboration between citizens and law enforcement remains crucial in combating terrorism and banditry. He urged traditional rulers, community heads, vigilante networks, and residents to actively provide intelligence to security forces, noting that local knowledge often plays a decisive role in tracking criminal groups operating in rural areas.
Security analysts warn that the latest incident underscores the persistent vulnerability of educational institutions in remote communities, despite previous government interventions. Civil society organisations have renewed calls for fortified school safety systems, improved early-warning mechanisms, and expanded surveillance in high-risk zones.
Meanwhile, rescue operations continue across multiple fronts, with the military pledging to sustain pressure until the girls are found. Families in Maga and surrounding villages remain anxious but hopeful as authorities reinforce security and broaden the search.
