Minister of State for Defence Bello Matawalle says 24 schoolgirls abducted from Government Girls’ Secondary School, Maga, in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State have been rescued in Mokwa forest, Niger State.
Minister Matawalle spoke to journalists on Tuesday alongside Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris after the rescue of the students, who were abducted on November 17.
He said the girls were rescued unhurt by a combined team of soldiers, police, civil defence personnel, vigilantes and hunters after nine days in captivity.
He added that no ransom was paid.
According to him, the girls would be taken to hospital for medical examination before being reunited with their parents.
Governor Idris thanked President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, the Minister of State for Defence, the Progressive Governors’ Forum led by Hope Uzodimma, National Assembly members led by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and the Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun for their roles following the abduction.
He said the rescued students would arrive Birnin Kebbi on Wednesday for official handover to their parents, adding that neither the state government nor the Federal Government paid ransom.
“No ransom was paid. The Kebbi State Government did not pay a kobo, and neither did the Federal Government. The rescue was achieved solely through the efforts of the security agencies,” Idris said.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu welcomed the release of the girls and directed security agencies to intensify efforts to free others still held in captivity.
Tinubu noted that the Kebbi incident was followed by similar abductions in Eruku, Kwara State and Papiri, Niger State.
He said all 38 abducted victims in Eruku were freed on Sunday, while the Niger State chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria confirmed that 50 students missing from a Catholic school had returned home.
“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. My government will offer all the assistance needed to achieve this,” the President said.
Also on Tuesday, the Northern Security and Civic Protection Forum (NSCPF) commended President Tinubu, Minister Matawalle and the Nigerian armed forces for the operation that led to the rescue of the Kebbi students.
In a statement signed by its president, Abdulrahman Al-Ma’aruf, the group said the federal government demonstrated commitment in handling the incident. It noted that the victims, abducted on November 17, were freed on November 25 after sustained military pressure.
The forum said the rescue followed high-level coordination ordered by the President, who directed Matawalle to relocate to Kebbi to oversee operations.
It said the minister’s arrival contributed to the multi-agency response.
