The Kebbi Progressive Youths (KEPYO) has applauded the Kebbi state government for what it describes as a “decisive, humane, and highly coordinated” effort that led to the rescue of the 25 school girls abducted from Government Day Secondary School, Maga, in Danko-Wasagu local government area of the state.
In a statement, its spokesperson, Comrade Usman Musa, said the prompt mobilisation of security agencies, the steady flow of official communication, and the governor’s insistence on a non-politicised rescue effort were markers of responsible leadership in a tense and emotionally charged moment.
According to the group, the incident had thrown the entire state and indeed Nigeria into fear and uncertainty, especially because the victims were minors, most of them between the ages of 12 and 17. “What happened in Maga was another painful reminder of the insecurity confronting our communities,” the statement noted. “But the state government’s handling of the situation showed resolve, competence, and compassion.”
KEPYO commended the governor for boldly calling out the military for abandoning their post prior to the attack, while immediately activating a joint security operation that involved the Army, the Police, local vigilance units, and intelligence operatives. The group said this collaborative approach was the major reason the girls were recovered alive and without the large-scale tragedy many had feared.
The group also highlighted the governor’s direct engagement with the families of the abducted girls as well as his insistence that the rescue mission remain the sole priority rather than media grandstanding or partisan point-scoring. “In a period like this, people want reassurance, not rhetoric,” the spokesperson said. “The state government gave that reassurance.”
KEPYO urged residents of Danko-Wasagu and adjoining communities to remain vigilant and support the ongoing operations aimed at tracking the remnants of the criminal gang behind the abduction. The group stressed that the successful rescue should not be taken as an opportunity for complacency, warning that bandit groups attacking Kebbi state and the rest of the region are still very much in business.
The youth group also called on the federal government to strengthen military presence in the entire Wasagu-Zuru axis, describing the area as “a strategic but vulnerable corridor linking several states where bandit cells operate.” It urged enhanced intelligence sharing and improved logistics support for security personnel already operating in the region.
While expressing gratitude that all 25 girls were safely recovered, KEPYO pledged to embark on a series of community sensitisation engagements to promote safer school environments and stronger community-security cooperation. The group said it would also push for more investment in perimeter fencing, early-warning systems, and school security marshals, especially in rural LGAs.
KEPYO used the statement to remind political actors that the security of schoolchildren must remain above partisan interests. “What the state government has achieved should inspire unity, not division,” the spokesperson added. “This is not the time to weaponise tragedy.”
The group concluded by urging the parents of the rescued schoolgirls to allow them gradually return to normalcy, assuring them that their daughters’ bravery and the state’s commitment to their safety would not go unnoticed.
“The people of Kebbi have witnessed trauma,” the group said, “but, we also witness hope. The return of the Maga girls is a victory for every mother, every father, and every young person who still believes that government can work.”
