A Night of Terror in Maga: Bandits Kill Vice-Principal, Kidnap 25 Schoolgirls in Kebbi Raid
In the stillness of Monday, November 17, 2025, Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School (GGCSS), Maga, in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area, Kebbi State, became the scene of a horrifying attack. Around 4:00 a.m., a gang of armed bandits stormed the school, leaving a trail of blood and fear. Vice-Principal Hassan Yakubu Makuku was killed in the assault, while 25 female students were abducted.
Eyewitness Accounts: Chaos in the Dormitories
Fatima Abdullahi, a 16-year-old student, recalled the moment the attackers entered the school:
“We were sleeping when we heard shouting and gunshots. I saw men scaling the fence and breaking doors. Everyone screamed and ran. I hid under my bed and prayed, but some of my friends were taken away. I could hear shots, and then… our vice-principal fell.”
Another student, Aisha Bello, described the panic in the school compound:
“It was total confusion. The guards tried to stop them, but they were too many and heavily armed. They shouted at us to be quiet or else… I don’t want to remember the rest.”
The school’s lone security guard, Ali Shehu, was injured during the raid. He said:
“I fired at them to protect the students, but they shot me in the hand. I couldn’t do much. They were very organized and ruthless.”
Security Response: A Race Against Time
According to CSP Nafiu Abubakar Kotarkoshi, spokesperson for the Kebbi State Police Command, tactical units and local vigilante groups have been deployed to comb forests and nearby villages for the abducted girls.
Kebbi State’s Commissioner of Police, Bello M. Sani, called the raid “dastardly” and urged calm while promising a “swift and comprehensive response.” The Deputy Governor, Senator Umar Tafida, visited the school to meet parents and coordinate with security agencies on rescue efforts.
Community Grief and Fear
Residents of Maga are still in shock. Many parents waited anxiously outside the school compound after learning about the attack. A local resident, Hajara Musa, lamented:
“This is not the first time. Our children go to school, and we fear for their lives every day. How can learning continue if bandits are killing teachers and taking students?”
The loss of Vice-Principal Makuku has left a gaping void. Known for his dedication and protective nature, he was more than an administrator — he was a mentor and guardian for hundreds of students.
Broader Context: Banditry and School Attacks
The attack highlights the growing threat of banditry in Nigeria’s northwest. Kidnappings for ransom have become a common tactic, leaving schools particularly vulnerable. Security experts warn that without urgent interventions, these attacks will continue to terrorize communities and disrupt education.
Education remains a fragile lifeline in rural Kebbi. With limited infrastructure and insufficient security personnel, schools are easy targets for criminal networks that operate with deadly efficiency.
Humanitarian Concerns
The abducted girls’ families face anguish and uncertainty. Psychologists warn of lasting trauma for both victims and students who survived. Authorities are urged to provide psychological support alongside rescue operations.
The State Government faces mounting pressure to not only recover the abducted students safely but also implement measures to prevent future attacks. Stronger school security, intelligence-gathering, and community engagement are urgently needed to safeguard education in vulnerable areas.
Looking Ahead
As security forces continue their search, the incident underscores the urgent need for a coordinated response to the banditry crisis. For Maga and similar communities, the question remains: how can children learn without fear?
The raid in Kebbi is a stark reminder of the dangers facing educational institutions in northwest Nigeria and the human toll of insecurity.
