The Kebbi State Government has confirmed that none of the 24 rescued schoolgirls abducted from Government Girls’ Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, suffered sexual abuse while in captivity.
Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Dr. Halima Bande, disclosed this on Wednesday during the official handover of the freed girls to their parents at the Government House in Birnin Kebbi.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the girls were abducted on Monday, November 17, when suspected bandits launched an early morning attack on the school and whisked the students away.
Bande described the return of the girls as a moment of relief, noting that their disappearance had thrown the state into trauma for over a week.
“We are here today in a very happy mood to hand over these freed girls to their parents. We give glory to our Creator and appreciate our leaders whose coordinated efforts ensured their rescue,” she said.
“Our greatest joy is that medical examinations confirmed that all the girls are safe and did not suffer any form of sexual abuse.”
She also thanked parents, religious leaders, traditional institutions, and all stakeholders who played roles in the rescue effort.
Speaking at the event, Gov. Nasir Idris expressed profound gratitude to God and commended President Bola Tinubu for directing security agencies to collaborate on the rescue mission.
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“I am the happiest person today because these girls were rescued unharmed,” he said.
“This is a day we have been longing for, and we remain grateful to Mr President for ensuring their safe return.”
Idris encouraged the girls to continue their education despite the traumatic experience, while calling on citizens to maintain peace, stressing that development cannot thrive in an atmosphere of conflict or insecurity.
He also noted the cordial relationship between him and former Kebbi governors, describing it as a sign of unity and progress in the state.
Security arrangements, he added, have been made to escort the schoolgirls and their parents back to Maga.
Speaking on behalf of the parents, Malam Ibrahim Haruna-Maga, joined by Malam Iliyasu Birnin-Tudu and Malam Umaru Garba, expressed heartfelt appreciation to federal and state authorities as well as security agencies for making the rescue possible.
NAN gathered from credible sources that the schoolgirls were rescued in Bagega Forest, located in Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
