The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, on Monday, travelled to Kebbi State, directing personnel of Operation FANSAN YANMA to step up the search-and-rescue efforts for students kidnapped from Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School (GGCSS) Maga, in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area.
The kidnapping followed a Sunday night assault on the school, during which bandits killed the vice principal, Malami Hassan Yakubu Makuku, seized 25 students, and injured several others as pupils fled in fear.
Shaibu arrived with a team of Principal Staff Officers from Army Headquarters and held an operational session with frontline commanders before speaking to the deployed personnel.
In a firm directive, the Army Chief ordered the soldiers to operate continuously until all kidnapped students were successfully rescued.
“You must continue day and night fighting. We must find these children,” Shaibu instructed the personnel. “Leverage intelligence for intelligence-based missions. Bandits target soft targets; if they know you are present, they will not attack. You can defeat them.”
He underlined the importance of determination and professionalism.
“Once you receive intelligence of this nature, act decisively. This is not just about our image; it is about doing our job properly,” he stated.
Shaibu also met with local vigilantes and hunters assisting the mission, highlighting their significance in providing intelligence and guiding troops through the forested areas.
“Storm the nooks and crannies of these forests. Soldiers will join you. These criminals aim to scare children from going to school. We will not allow that,” he said as he praised their courage.
Earlier, the Army Chief visited the Traditional Ruler of Danko, Alhaji Abubakar Ibrahim Allaje, and the Principal of GGCSS Maga, Hajiya Rabi Musa Magaji, assuring them of the military’s commitment to rescuing the girls without harm.
“The safety of these children is a national priority, and we are deploying every resource to ensure they return home safely,” Shaibu said.
Hajiya Rabi expressed gratitude for the visit, noting that it reflected the urgency with which both the military and federal authorities were treating the matter.
“Your visit has given us hope. With this level of commitment, our girls will soon return,” she said.
The abduction at GGCSS Maga has triggered nationwide concern, leading to a strengthened military response involving both land and air assets under Operation FANSAN YANMA.
Security sources said personnel, supported by surveillance equipment, have widened search routes across forested zones in Danko/Wasagu and neighbouring areas.
