Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived in Kebbi State to meet with government officials and families of the schoolgirls abducted from Government Girls Secondary School, Maga, by armed attackers.
Shettima’s aircraft touched down at the Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport in Birnin Kebbi, where he was received by top state officials.
He was accompanied by the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Zubaida Umar, and other senior government representatives.
The Vice President’s visit follows a direct directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who asked him to deliver a message of solidarity to the people of Kebbi and receive a detailed briefing on the situation for onward communication to the Presidency.
Mission of Sympathy and Assessment
During the visit, Shettima is expected to meet with the affected families, community leaders, and security agencies working on the rescue efforts.
The tragic attack resulted in the death of the school’s Vice Principal, Malam Hassan Makuku, who was reportedly killed while attempting to stop the gunmen from abducting the students.
Security agencies announced on Monday that a combined tactical team had been deployed to comb surrounding forests in pursuit of the kidnappers and to rescue the schoolgirls unharmed.
Tinubu Condemns Attack, Postpones International Trips
President Tinubu has strongly condemned the attack and expressed heartfelt sympathy to the families of the victims.
In response to the worsening security situation, he also postponed his scheduled trips to:
Johannesburg, South Africa for the 20th G20 Summit of Leaders, Luanda, Angola for the 7th AU–EU Summit.
The President said his focus remains firmly on ensuring the safe return of the abducted students and restoring calm in affected communities.
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