Kidnappers Operated Freely For Two Hours After Soldiers Withdrew – Kebbi District Head, Dantani

Muhammad Dantani, the district head of Maga in Danko/Wasagu LGA, described the attack on Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School as a tragic and shocking incident that devastated the community. He said armed bandits invaded the school in the early hours, killed a staff member, Malam Hassan Makuku, and shot the watchman, who is his uncle, before heading to the hostels to abduct students.

Dantani said he was alerted by the school principal around 4:30 a.m. and immediately mobilised to the school. After counting the students, 25 girls were confirmed kidnapped. Security had earlier been strengthened following intelligence reports, with police officers deployed and soldiers moved closer to the school. The troops even sent photo evidence of their presence.

However, Dantani said the soldiers unexpectedly withdrew around 1 a.m., less than an hour before the attack. The police officers on duty took cover because the bandits were too many and heavily armed. With no military support, the att ckers operated freely from about 1:30 a.m. to 3:30 a.m.

He added that the governor was furious when he visited and ordered a full investigation into why the soldiers left their post. The committee includes the DSS, police, and school authorities.

Security agencies, especially the military, are currently conducting rescue operations in the forest areas along the Zamfara–Kebbi border, where the bandits are believed to still be hiding. Dantani said there are no bandit camps in the Zuru Emirate, but attackers often cross from Zamfara and retreat back into forests where they have support.

He urged the government to restore the previously deployed APCs and strengthen border security to prevent future incidents. The community has also begun special prayers in hopes of the safe return of the abducted students.