Shettima Meets Kebbi Leaders, Families After Abduction of Schoolgirls

By: Aremu Toyeebaht

Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived in Kebbi State on the orders of President Bola Tinubu to directly engage state authorities and families of the Government Girls Secondary School, Maga students abducted by gunmen earlier this week.

A statement issued by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, confirmed that the Vice President will meet Governor Nasiru Idris, traditional rulers, security commanders and parents of the victims to review ongoing search and rescue efforts.

Nkwocha said the Vice President is carrying a presidential assurance that the Federal Government is determined to ensure the swift and safe return of the schoolgirls, who were seized during a pre-dawn attack on Monday that also claimed the life of the school’s vice principal.

“President Tinubu had specifically directed the Vice President to assure the people of Kebbi State that the Federal Government will ensure the quick and safe release of the abducted girls,” the statement said.

The Vice President is also expected to deliver the President’s condolences over the growing security concerns in the state and reaffirm the administration’s commitment to strengthening the protection of schools nationwide.

Shettima is accompanied by APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda; Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard Doro; Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim; and Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency, Zubaida Umar.

One of the abducted girls reportedly escaped as local hunters and security operatives continue search operations in the surrounding communities. The incident has intensified national concern over worsening banditry across the northwest.