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

Engr. Ramat and the Future of NERC: Separating Fact from Fiction

by Ibrahim Sani Shawai

In recent days, several comments have circulated about the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the nomination of Engr. Abdullahi Ramat Garba as its incoming Chairman. Some statements paint an unnecessarily gloomy picture of the sector and an oddly shallow understanding of his qualifications. Both deserve clarification.

One of the recurring claims is that Engr. Ramat is simply a former local government chairman. That description is often thrown around as if it covers his entire professional identity. It does not. Long before his public service journey, he was a trained and certified engineer with years of hands-on technical and administrative experience. His profile blends engineering discipline, institutional management and a solid grasp of public accountability. Reducing all of this to one political role is inaccurate.

Some critics argue that NERC has endured two decades of weak leadership. Anyone who has seriously followed the sector knows this is not accurate. NERC guided Nigeria from a government-controlled electricity system to a privatized market. It established tariff structures, licensing frameworks, customer protection rules and compliance mechanisms still in use today. These reforms required competence, not weakness.

Modern electricity regulation relies heavily on technology, automation, real-time data, digital complaint systems and market intelligence tools. This is where Engr. Ramat has a clear advantage.

One of the most overlooked aspects of his profile is his strong proficiency in Information Technology. This directly supports the type of leadership required in today’s electricity market. His IT-driven approach includes real-time digital monitoring of grid operations, automated regulatory workflows, improved customer service platforms, cybersecurity protections, smart metering reforms and predictive tools for early intervention. These are the same tools used by leading global regulators.

Some insist that the next Chairman must come from within the Commission. But internal experience alone does not guarantee innovation. Many countries deliberately bring in external leadership to encourage new thinking.

His recent interview on TVC also highlighted his temperament. He calmly distanced himself from protests at the National Assembly and stressed the need for the Senate to carry out its responsibilities without interference. His conduct reflects maturity and respect for institutions.

The current leadership’s tenure expires on 1 December 2025. The Electricity Act does not provide room for an acting Chairman afterward. Nigeria cannot afford a vacuum at the top of its regulatory framework. Timely confirmation and effective transition planning are essential.

Rather than fixating on negative narratives, Nigeria should focus on strengthening NERC through better funding, technical training, transparent decision making and data-driven regulatory tools. Our electricity challenges built up over decades and cannot be solved instantly, but steady progress is possible with the right leadership.

His nomination offers a chance to modernize NERC, rebuild investor confidence and strengthen consumer protections. It reflects an effort to inject new ideas and technological depth into one of Nigeria’s most important institutions.

Engr. Abdullahi Ramat Garba brings a rare combination of engineering competence and digital vision. He deserves the opportunity to demonstrate it.
Shawai is a public affairs analyst and can be contacted via shawai2000@yahoo.com

Engr. Ramat and the Future of NERC: Separating Fact from Fiction

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