Dare Babalola
All 24 schoolgirls who were abducted by armed assailants from a school last week in Maga, Kebbi State, have regained freedom.
Security sources confirmed the development to TheCable on Tuesday, though details of the operation that led to their rescue remained sketchy as of press time. An official announcement is expected later tonight.
The source said the girls were yet to be handed over to their families.
Armed bandits had attacked the school on November 17, killing a staff member and injuring a security guard before whisking away the students.
The release of all the kidnapped victims was reportedly facilitated through coordinated efforts by officials from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Department of State Services (DSS).
The abduction of the students, followed by a similar one in Niger State, had drawn concerns at the national and international levels, and prompted a decisive operational order from the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-General, Waidi Shaibu, for troops to intensify efforts to rescue the students.
The successful release of the students is a major relief for the affected families and the community.
Reacting to the development, President Bola Tinubu welcomed the release of the 24 schoolgirls abducted by terrorists.
Bayo Onanuga, the spokesperson to the President, said that Tinubu has applauded the security agents for their efforts in securing freedom for all the victims taken away by the terrorists.
He further tasked the security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue the remaining students still being held captive.
“I am relieved that all the 24 girls have been accounted for. Now, we must put as a matter of urgency more boots on the ground in the vulnerable areas to avert further incidents of kidnapping,” Tinubu said, according to a statement signed by Onanuga.
“My government will offer all the assistance needed to achieve this,” he pledged.
