A coalition of prominent Northern women, operating under the banner of Voices for Inclusion and Equity for Women (VIEW), has condemned the abduction of schoolgirls from Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School, Maga, Kebbi State, describing the attack as a grave indictment of Nigeria’s security architecture and leadership.

In a statement signed by Asmau Joda, Maryam Uwais, Mairo Mandara, Aisha Oyebode, Fatima Akilu, Kadaria Ahmed, Larai Ocheja Amusan, and Ier Jonathan-Ichaver, the group decried assault in which armed men invaded the school at killed the Vice Principal and abducted 25 students.

Uwais said the incident highlights the government’s continuing inability to protect vulnerable citizens, stressing that the mass kidnapping is not simply another security incident, but a devastating reminder of years of failed promises and inadequate implementation of the Safe Schools Initiative.

The women noted that despite the national grief and global outcry following earlier mass abductions in Chibok, Dapchi, Jangebe, and numerous smaller attacks across Northern Nigeria, schools in the region remain dangerously exposed to violent raids.

Many of the signatories were key figures in the Bring Back Our Girls movement and have worked extensively with communities affected by insurgency and banditry.

The statement read: “More than a decade after repeated tragedies, Northern Nigeria is still one of the most dangerous places in the world for a girl to pursue an education.

“Our daughters are once again missing. And we must ask, with pain, anger and clarity: where are our leaders?”

VIEW accused political leaders, security agencies and northern representatives of failing to protect girls who already contend with cultural and economic barriers to education.

The coalition warned that the persistent pattern of school abductions raises troubling concerns about whether systemic neglect is enabling the continued marginalisation of northern girls.

The group demanded urgent, intelligence-driven rescue operations and daily public briefings on efforts to retrieve the abducted students, cautioning against the slow and poorly coordinated responses that have followed past incidents.

They called on the President, First Lady, Kebbi State Governor, the Northern Governors’ Forum, the Northern Senators’ Forum, the Arewa House of Representatives Caucus, the Arewa Consultative Forum, as well as traditional, faith-based and security leaders, including the National Security Adviser, Chief of Defence Staff and Inspector-General of Police to demonstrate visible, decisive leadership.

“This is not a moment for silence or excuses. The abduction of the Maga girls must be treated as a national emergency not a political talking point or a press-release moment,” VIEW said, warning that every passing hour increases the danger the girls face.

The coalition urged Nigerian women to unite and demand accountability, insisting that northern women are “tired of mourning” and tired of leaders who offer condolences rather than solutions.

“No nation can claim to value its future, while abandoning its daughters to violence. The girls of Maga must be located, rescued and reunited with their families without delay. Nothing is more urgent. Nothing is more important. Their return is a test of our leadership and our humanity,” the statement added. (The Sun)