Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mohammed Matawalle, on Friday arrived in Birnin Kebbi in compliance with President Bola Tinubu’s directive to immediately relocate to the state and coordinate efforts to rescue the schoolgirls abducted from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga.
Upon arrival, the minister moved straight into a closed-door meeting with top security chiefs in the state, including senior Army officers, police commanders, and heads of other security agencies.
The meeting, held in Birnin Kebbi, is aimed at reviewing intelligence, strengthening coordination, and accelerating the search-and-rescue operations already underway.
Although Matawalle did not address journalists before entering the meeting venue, security officials familiar with the agenda said the session would focus on tightening operational plans and closing identified gaps.
A senior security officer, who requested anonymity because he is not authorised to speak to the media, said, “The Minister’s arrival means operations are entering a more aggressive phase.
“The directive from Abuja is clear—everything must be done to get those girls back safely. This meeting is about aligning all agencies and removing any bottlenecks.”
Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, later commended Tinubu for deploying high-level federal attention to the crisis.
In a statement by his spokesperson, Ahmed Idris, the governor said the state government would provide all necessary support to security agencies.
“We appreciate the prompt response from the Federal Government.
“What happened in Maga is unacceptable. The state government will continue to work closely with security forces to ensure the safe return of our daughters,” the statement read.
Parents and community leaders in Maga have continued holding prayer sessions, urging the government to act swiftly.
A community elder told our correspondent that the minister’s arrival has raised hopes.
“Our people are worried, but we are hopeful.
“Seeing the Federal Government directly involved gives us some relief. We just want our children back,” he said.
Bandits stormed Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in the early hours of Monday, overpowering local security presence and abducting several students.
The attack has drawn condemnation across Nigeria and renewed calls for better protection of schools, especially in rural communities.
Following the incident, Tinubu directed the Minister of State for Defence to move to Kebbi and coordinate rescue operations alongside the military, police, and other security agencies.
Search operations have since expanded across forest routes linking Kebbi with Zamfara and Niger States, with aerial surveillance and ground troops deployed to track the kidnappers.
