Two girls, who were among at least 25 children and a teacher abducted from their boarding school in Kebbi state, Nigeria, on Monday, have managed to escape, according to local officials.
As the gunmen were leading the children into the bushes, the two girls seized the opportunity to flee across farmland. They have since returned home, although one required medical attention due to an injury sustained during her escape.
The violent assault resulted in the death of a teacher who attempted to protect the students and a security guard who succumbed to gunshot wounds later in the hospital.
Authorities have deployed troops, police, and volunteers to comb the forested areas surrounding the school in hopes of rescuing the remaining captives. Major General Waidi Shaibu, Nigeria's army chief of staff, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating the necessity to find the kidnapped children.
The increasing frequency of school kidnappings in northern Nigeria has sent shockwaves through communities, as armed groups continue to target educational institutions for ransom or other negotiation tactics.
Local police reported that the attackers, described as 'bandits', struck the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga town around 4 a.m. on Monday.
Heartbreaking stories are emerging from those affected. One father, whose daughter remains unaccounted for, shared his anguish, revealing how his daughters attempted to hide in the toilet during the invasion. Tragically, one daughter was too frightened to remain hidden.
Following the incident, police engaged in an exchange of gunfire with the attackers, who ultimately breached the school's perimeter to abduct the girls from their dormitory.
This ongoing crisis underscores the persistent security challenges facing Nigeria, particularly in the north. The nation's central government has expressed deep concern over the abductions and is committed to taking measures to protect schoolchildren.
