Nigeria Rescues 24 Schoolgirls Kidnapped in Northwestern Region
Image Source: Internet
In a major breakthrough, Nigerian authorities have rescued all 24 schoolgirls who were abducted from a school in Kebbi state last week. The girls were taken from the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga town on November 17, but one of them managed to escape on the same day. President Bola Tinubu announced the rescue on Tuesday, stating that the girls were now in the custody of authorities. The rescue comes as a relief to the families of the girls, who had been anxiously waiting for news of their loved ones. The abduction was part of a spate of recent mass kidnappings in Nigeria, including a raid on the Saint Mary's School in Niger state where over 300 students and staff were taken. In another incident, 38 worshippers were kidnapped during a church attack in Kwara state, but they have since been released. No group has claimed responsibility for the kidnappings, but analysts believe that gangs of bandits are behind the attacks, targeting schools, travelers, and remote villagers for ransom. The gangs, composed of former herders, have been using kidnapping as a means to dominate remote communities with little government and security presence. School kidnappings have become a major concern in Nigeria, with at least 1,500 students seized since the infamous Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping over a decade ago. While arrests are rare, ransom payments are common in many hotspots in northern Nigeria. The recent kidnappings have also drawn attention to the security situation in Nigeria, with U.S. President Donald Trump claiming that Christians are being persecuted in the country. However, attacks have affected both Christians and Muslims, highlighting the complex nature of the issue. The rescue of the 24 schoolgirls is a welcome development, but it also underscores the need for more robust security measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
