How Kebbi Governor, Idris, Masterminded Rescue of the “Kebbi 25,” State Government Clarifies

By Franklin Adole
The Kebbi State Government has clarified that Governor Nasir Idris personally led and coordinated the rescue of the 24 schoolgirls abducted from Government Girls Community Secondary School, Maga, in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area on November 17, 2025, a mission it described as the product of “decisive leadership, courage, and swift action.”

Commissioner for Information and Culture, Ahmed Yakubu, said fears initially swept across the country because the incident “sent shockwaves throughout Nigeria and beyond, bringing back haunting memories of the Chibok girls’ kidnapping in Borno State.”

He noted that public anxiety worsened because previous abductions had spiraled into tragedy: “In the case of the Chibok girls, what was thought to be a temporary problem snowballed into prolonged anguish, leading to situations where the girls were shared and married out to insurgents.”

Yakubu added that many Nigerians feared the Maga schoolgirls would face the same fate: “forced marriages, pregnancies, and permanent displacement from their families.”

However, he said those fears were dispelled through the governor’s intervention. “Dr. Idris showcased exceptional composure, courage, and decisiveness throughout the crisis. He stressed the urgent need to secure the girls’ safe return, and his commitment resonated across the country,” Yakubu stated.

He emphasised that Governor Idris immediately moved into action once the abduction was reported, contacting security agencies, key stakeholders, and federal authorities. A particularly significant moment, according to the commissioner, was the governor’s decision to abandon important engagements and head straight to Maga.

“He spent the night with them, offering reassurance and counseling,” Yakubu said, describing the governor’s visit to grieving families as a turning point in maintaining community strength during intense anxiety.

The state government also questioned why troops assigned to protect the school were withdrawn despite prior intelligence alerts. Yakubu said the lapse “resulted in the tragic loss of two lives and exposed the continuing vulnerabilities in school security across parts of the country.”

While acknowledging the prayers of Kebbi residents and the support of President Bola Tinubu, the commissioner stressed that the outcome was fundamentally driven by the governor’s leadership. “The incident underscores the importance of leadership that prioritizes public welfare and responds quickly during crises,” he said.

He added that the successful rescue had united Nigerians: “The episode demonstrated the power of collaboration and the resilience of communities determined to protect their children.”

According to Yakubu, “Governor Idris’s response has set a new standard for crisis management,” showing the need for proactive engagement and improved school-security protocols.

As Kebbi State continues strengthening security measures, the commissioner called on citizens to stand behind the governor: “In unity and resilience, we can build a safer, more secure future for our children.”

He concluded that the government remains thankful for the girls’ safe return and will ensure “their education continues without further disruption.”