COAS storms Kebbi , orders massive manhunt for abducted schoolgirls

By: Zagazola Makama

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, on Monday stormed Kebbi State in a decisive show of force, directing troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA to leave no stone unturned in the ongoing search-and-rescue operation for students abducted from Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School (GGCSS) Maga in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area.

The COAS, who arrived the state with a strong delegation of Principal Staff Officers from Army Headquarters, held an operational meeting with frontline commanders before addressing troops deployed in the search effort.

In a firm and emotionally charged message, Shaibu ordered the soldiers to intensify both day and night operations until all the abducted schoolgirls were safely rescued.

“You must continue day and night fighting. We must find these children,” he told the troops gathered at the forward operating location.

“For the commanders here, you must leverage intelligence to conduct intelligence-based missions. It has become a pattern that bandits target soft targets. If they know you are in a location, they will not come there or face you in a fight and you can defeat them, can’t you?”

Shaibu reminded officers and soldiers that a ruthless determination to succeed was essential.

“You must have all the commitment to make sure you succeed. Once you receive intelligence of something of this nature, you must act professionally and decisively. This is not just about our image; it is about doing our job properly,” he cautioned.

The Army Chief also held a separate engagement with local vigilantes and hunters supporting the operation. He emphasized the need for enhanced collaboration, describing them as indispensable partners due to their deep knowledge of the terrain.

“If we have people like you, it is you who will work with us and provide local intelligence. You know these forests and you are the ones to tell us where the criminals are,” he said.

“Your hunters should storm the nooks and crannies of these forests. Soldiers will also join you. We are counting on you to work with us to bring lasting peace. What these evil people are trying to do is to scare children from going to school. Let every man know we will not allow that.”

He commended the vigilantes for their courage and contributions, assuring them of the military’s full support.

Earlier, Lt.-Gen. Shaibu paid a sympathy visit to the Traditional Ruler of Danko, Alhaji Abubakar Ibrahim Allaje, and the Principal of the attacked school, Hajiya Rabi Musa Magaji.

During the visit, he assured the monarch and the school authorities of the military’s unwavering resolve to rescue the girls unharmed.

“We are fully committed. We will not relent. The safety of these children is a national priority, and we are deploying every resource to ensure they return home safely,” the COAS said.

In her remarks, Hajiya Rabi expressed gratitude for the Army Chief’s swift visit, saying it demonstrated the urgency with which the military and federal authorities were treating the incident.

“Your visit has given us hope. We believe that with this level of commitment, our girls will soon return,” she said.

The abduction at GGCSS Maga has triggered widespread concern across the country, prompting an intensified military response involving ground and air components under Operation FANSAN YANMA.

Security sources who spoke to Zagazola Makama said troops, supported by surveillance assets, have expanded search corridors across forested areas spanning Danko/Wasagu and adjoining boundaries.

The COAS and his entourage later proceeded to inspect additional deployment points before returning to the operational command centre for a review briefing.

COAS storms Kebbi , orders massive manhunt for abducted schoolgirls

Tension in Kebbi as bandits attack GGCSS Maga, kill vice Principal , abduct students

By: Zagazola Makama

Tension has gripped the Zuru Emirate of Kebbi State following a late-night attack on Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School (GGCSS) Maga in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area, during which bandits killed the school’s Vice Principal, Malam Hassan Yakubu Makuku, and abducted an unspecified number of students.

A resident, Malama Murjanatu Hassan Gishiri, who confirmed the incident on Monday, said the attackers stormed the school at night and operated freely, throwing the community into panic.

She described the invasion as “a heartbreaking tragedy that has thrown the entire region into deep fear and mourning”, adding that the bandits moved in large numbers and overpowered the area without resistance.

Gishiri said the late Vice Principal was shot while attempting to protect students from the attackers.

“People in the community have been offering prayers for his soul, asking Allah to grant him mercy, a peaceful resting place, and to console his family over this painful loss,” she said.

Efforts to get official comments from security agencies proved unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.

Residents appealed to the government to act swiftly to rescue the abducted students and to strengthen security around schools and communities in the area, which have suffered repeated attacks by bandits.

Tension in Kebbi as bandits attack GGCSS Maga, kill vice Principal , abduct students

VP Shettima: Hajiya Sutura Shagari Will Be Remembered For Her Selflessness, Compassion

• Leads FG delegation on condolence visit to the late former president’s family in Sokoto

By: Michael Mike

The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has described the passing of Hajiya Sutura Shehu Shagari, the last surviving wife of former President Shehu Shagari as a huge loss to Nigeria, saying she will be remembered for her life of compassionate and selfless service to her community and the nation at large.

Senator Shettima spoke on Sunday when he led the Federal Government delegation to condole with the Shagari family over the demise of the matriarch of the Shagari family in their residence in Sokoto State.

Announcing the death of the last surviving wife of the former President, a statement signed by the eldest son of the former President and Sarkin Mafaran Shagari, Capt. Bala Shagari, had noted that the late Hajiya Sutura died at about 3pm on Monday, November 10, 2025, after a prolonged illness at the age of 79.

Commiserating with the Shagari family in Sokoto, the Vice President who said he was in the state at the instance of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu prayed for the repose of Hajiya Sutura’s soul, as well as comfort for the family and the Sultanate.

“We are here at the instance of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to condole with the government and people of Sokoto State, His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto and the immediate family of our late President, Alhaji Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari, over the sad event of the passing of his last surviving wife, Hajia Sutura Aliyu Usman Shagari,” he stated.

Vice President Shettima also prayed Almighty Allah to reward the departed with Aljannah Firdaus, as well as the fortitude for the immediate family, Sokoto State and the entire nation to bear the loss.

“May Allah grant her soul eternal rest and reward her with Aljana Firdaus. May Allah also grant the family and the good people of Sokoto and the nation as a whole, the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss,” he prayed.

Earlier, the Governor of Sokoto State, Dr. Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto, thanked the Vice President for the show of love and concern about not only the Shagari family but the entire Sokoto State.

“The visit is a gesture which speaks volumes for having you in our midst today. Distinguished audience, you may recall that the Vice President has been here almost, I can say, four times since the inception of our administration. This is a show of love and the concern.

“We thank you most sincerely; we thank you for your coming. We pray Allah to give you sound health, and to give you courage to continue the good work you are doing for this great country,” the Governor told VP Shettima.

Also, leader of the Shagari family and District Head of Shagari, Capt. Bala Shagari (rtd), thanked the Vice President for leading the Federal Government’s delegation to condole with the family.

He said it was a great honour having the Federal Government’s delegation sent by President Tinubu to condole with the Shagari family in their moment of grief, even as he also thanked the state Governor for taking care of the Shagari family.

Also in attendance were the Minister of State for Works, Senator Bello Mohammed Goronyo; former Attorney -General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Bello Mohammed Adoke, and former Deputy Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Mukhtari Shagari, among other senior government officials.

VP Shettima: Hajiya Sutura Shagari Will Be Remembered For Her Selflessness, Compassion