Two of the 25 female students taken by bandits from Government Girls Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi state have reportedly managed to break free from their captors.
Citing Hussaini Aliyu, an official from Danko Wasagu LGA, the BBC revealed that the students fled while being escorted into the bushes and made their way across farmland to safety.
The report noted that Aliyu confirmed the girls were “back and are safe”, adding that one of them required medical care after injuring her leg during the escape.
Armed men stormed the school on Monday morning, seizing 25 female students in the attack.
Nafi’u Kotarkoshi, the police spokesperson in Kebbi, stated that Hassan Makuku, the school’s vice principal, was killed during the incident, while Ali Shehu, a security guard, suffered gunshot injuries to his right hand.
The BBC further reported that Shehu later passed away in the hospital due to his injuries.
Mohammed Idris, minister of information and national orientation, said President Bola Tinubu has directed a rapid rescue operation for the remaining students.
Idris added that Tinubu denounced the attack and reiterated the federal government’s dedication to safeguarding all citizens, particularly schoolchildren.
Bello Muhammad Sani, the commissioner of police in Kebbi, said additional police tactical teams, along with military units and vigilance groups, have been deployed to the area.
Sani explained that the combined forces are actively searching suspected escape routes and nearby forests in a coordinated effort to recover the abducted students and apprehend those responsible.