President Bola Tinubu has welcomed the release of the 24 schoolgirls abducted by terrorists in Maga Kebbi last Monday and has charged security forces to rescue others still in captivity.

Special Adviser to the President (Information and Strategy), Bayo Onanuga, said in a statement that the President applauded security agents for all efforts made to secure freedom for all victims taken away by terrorists.

Onanuga noted that the terrorists struck at the school at dawn on November 17 and abducted the girls, moments after a military detachment left the premises.

The Kebbi incident triggered copycat kidnappings in Eruku in Kwara State and Papiri in Niger State. All 38 kidnapped victims in Eruku were freed on Sunday, and the same day, the Niger State chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria said 50 of the missing students of the Catholic School in Niger have been found in their parents’ homes.

President Tinubu tasked security agents to make more efforts to rescue the remaining students still being held captive. “I am relieved that all the 24 girls have been accounted for. Now, we must put as a matter of urgency more boots on the ground in the vulnerable areas to avert further incidents of kidnapping. My government will offer all the assistance needed to achieve this,” President Tinubu said. Onanuga stated that the statement was issued on November 25, 2025.