The 24 schoolgirls abducted from Government Girls Secondary School, Maga, in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State, have been rescued.
The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed this in a statement issued on Tuesday.
“I am relieved that all the 24 girls have been accounted for. Now, we must urgently deploy more boots on the ground in vulnerable areas to prevent further kidnappings. My government will provide all necessary support to achieve this,” the statement quoted the President as saying.
The abducted schoolgirls were said to have regained their freedom following a non-kinetic intervention by the Federal Government.
It was learnt that their release was secured through coordinated negotiations led by officials of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Department of State Services (DSS).
The non-kinetic strategy—which relies on dialogue and confidence-building rather than military force—reflects the government’s increasing preference for peaceful resolution of mass abductions.
The kidnapping had sparked nationwide concern and triggered a directive from the Chief of Army Staff for intensified search-and-rescue operations.
The students’ safe return brings significant relief to their families and the wider community.
