Kebbi Govt Reopens Maga Girls’ School Months After Deadly Bandit Attack
The Kebbi State Government has reopened Government Girls’ Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, following a deadly bandit attack that left the school’s vice principal dead and 25 students abducted.
The attack occurred in the early hours of Monday, November 17, 2025, when armed gunmen stormed the boarding school in Maga, Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area.
During the raid, the assailants killed Vice Principal Malam Hassan Yakubu Makuku and abducted 25 schoolgirls from their dormitory.
One of the abducted students escaped on the day of the attack, while the remaining 24 were rescued on November 25, 2025, and reunited with their families after coordinated search and rescue operations by security forces.
In a statement on Tuesday, Kebbi State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Dr Halima Bande, said counselling and the deployment of security personnel had restored confidence among parents, students and school staff, paving the way for the resumption of academic activities.
“The abducted students have been rescued, and confidence has been restored through counselling and the presence of security personnel. This has paved the way for the resumption of academic activities at Government Girls’ Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga,” she said.
Dr Bande explained that the reopening followed a security meeting with principals and heads of secondary schools held in Birnin Kebbi.
She added that Governor Nasir Idris had directed additional security measures to protect students and staff across public schools in the state.
The commissioner said the government had rolled out security awareness programmes for school personnel, with similar sessions conducted in Zuru, Yauri, Jega, Bunza and Argungu.
The meeting in Birnin Kebbi marked the final phase of the initiative.
Bande stressed that safeguarding schools is a collective responsibility and urged administrators, teachers and students to remain vigilant.
She also advised school leaders to strengthen collaboration with host communities and security agencies as part of proactive safety strategies.
She commended the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Department of State Services (DSS) for their role in sensitising school administrators on security awareness and preventive measures.
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