The chief of army staff (COAS), Waidi Shaibu, has instructed troops under Operation FANSAN YANMA to pursue every possible lead in the ongoing mission to locate and rescue the abducted students.
The girls were taken on Monday from the Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School (GGCSS) Maga in Kebbi.
During the attack, the gunmen killed vice principal Hassan Yakubu Makuku and kidnapped 25 students.
While visiting the state, Shaibu directed the troops to step up both day and night operations until every abducted schoolgirl is brought back safely.
As reported by Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication, the army chief arrived with a team of senior officers from army headquarters.
He held an operational briefing with frontline commanders in Kebbi before addressing the troops involved in the rescue mission.
Shaibu reminded the officers and soldiers that unwavering resolve is crucial.
“You must continue day and night fighting. We must find these children,” he said.
“For the commanders here, you must leverage intelligence to conduct intelligence-based missions. It has become a pattern that bandits target soft targets. If they know you are in a location, they will not come there or face you in a fight and you can defeat them, can’t you?
“You must have all the commitment to make sure you succeed. Once you receive intelligence of something of this nature, you must act professionally and decisively. This is not just about our image; it is about doing our job properly.”
The army chief also met separately with vigilantes and hunters assisting in the operation.
He stressed the importance of stronger collaboration, calling them vital partners due to their understanding of the terrain.
“If we have people like you, it is you who will work with us and provide local intelligence. You know these forests and you are the ones to tell us where the criminals are,” he said.
“Your hunters should storm the nooks and crannies of these forests. Soldiers will also join you. We are counting on you to work with us to bring lasting peace.
“What these evil people are trying to do is to scare children from going to school. Let every man know we will not allow that.”
He praised the vigilantes for their bravery and support, assuring them of complete military backing.
Earlier, Shaibu visited Abubakar Ibrahim Allaje, the traditional ruler of Danko, and Rabi Musa Magaji, principal of the affected school.
During the visit, he reaffirmed to the monarch and school authorities that the military is fully committed to rescuing the girls without harm.
“We are fully committed. We will not relent. The safety of these children is a national priority, and we are deploying every resource to ensure they return home safely,” the COAS said.