The Senate has asked President Bola Tinubu to direct the Nigerian Armed Forces to immediately recruit at least 100,000 additional personnel to strengthen the fight against worsening insecurity across the country.

The resolution followed a motion of urgent national importance raised by Senator Abdullahi Yahaya (Kebbi North), who reported a recent attack by terrorists on communities in Kebbi South Senatorial District who invaded a girls’ secondary school, abducting 25 students and severely injuring the school’s principal.

Describing the incident as a slap on the face of our nation, Yahaya lamented that repeated attacks on schools not only endanger citizens but deter girls from seeking education.

He recalled a similar abduction in 2022 from another government school in the state, noting that it took four years to rescue the victims.

“This terrorism targeting students must stop,” he said, urging security agencies to immediately track down the perpetrators.

He also appealed to President Tinubu to leave no stone unturned in bringing the attackers to justice.

In the same vein, in response to the abductions, the Senate has also set up an ad hoc committee, including the Committee on Finance, to investigate the funding, spending and effectiveness of the Safe School Initiative.

Lawmakers who expressed outrage over the incident noted that the renewed assault on schools raises questions about whether funds allocated to securing learning environments were properly utilized.

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, described the pattern of the abductions as a troubling recurrence, recalling the kidnapping of the Chibok girls on the eve of a major election in 2014.

He warned that the latest attacks come at a time when the international community is closely watching Nigeria’s security situation.

The Senate subsequently observed a minute of silence in honour of the vice principal who was killed while attempting to shield students from the terrorists.

Schoolgirls abducted, Vice Principal killed

Channels Television reported that Bandits abducted 25 students from the Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School (GGCSS) in Maga, Kebbi State.

It was gathered that the girls were whisked away during an attack by the gunmen on Sunday night at the school located in the Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area of the state.

According to sources, the attackers killed the school’s Vice Principal, Malam Hassan Makuku, before abducting several schoolgirls.

Witnesses said the bandits operated without resistance and caused widespread panic, throwing the entire region into deep fear and mourning.

Makuku was reportedly shot while attempting to protect the students during the invasion.

FG Condemns Attack, Vows To Rescue Schoolgirls

The Federal Government has condemned the attack on Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School, vowing to swiftly rescue the abducted schoolgirls.

In a statement signed by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, on Monday, the Federal Government said security and intelligence agencies have been given clear directives to locate, rescue, and safely return the students, and to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.

The government expressed deep concern and solidarity with the families of the abducted students, saying it shares in their pain and remains firmly committed to securing the release of the girls.

According to the Minister, President Bola Tinubu has reiterated that protecting every Nigerian, especially schoolchildren, remains a solemn responsibility of the State.

Gov Idris Assures Parents

Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, says he has assured parents of the schoolgirls abducted from the Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School (GGCSS) in Maga that efforts are underway to rescue their children.

The governor stated this on Monday after visiting Maga, where the incident occurred, and holding a closed-door meeting with security agencies, traditional rulers, and parents of the abducted students.

“The unfortunate thing has already happened. They have abducted our children. We came here, we saw things for ourselves, and we met the parents whose children were taken,” Governor Idris said.

“We gave them confidence, and we gave them our word that we will do everything possible to ensure that their children are rescued.

“We also assured them to remain confident, and that security agencies will do everything necessary. That is the essence of our coming to Maga—to see the people and give them confidence and words of encouragement.” (Channels TV)