President Bola Tinubu announced Tuesday that all 24 schoolgirls abducted by armed assailants from a school in Nigeria’s Kebbi state have been rescued. The attack, which occurred around 4 a.m. on November 17, involved gunmen using sophisticated weapons. Tinubu’s statement emphasized relief at the successful rescue and a call for increased security measures in vulnerable areas to prevent future incidents.
The rescue details remain undisclosed, and no information has been released about the perpetrators of the kidnapping. This incident occurs within a broader context of recent mass abductions in Nigeria. On Friday, attackers raided a Catholic school in Niger state, abducting over 300 students and staff. As of Sunday, 50 students aged 10 to 18 had escaped individually, leaving 253 students and 12 teachers still in captivity.
Nigeria has experienced a series of attacks targeting Christians and their institutions, prompting the United States to declare the West African nation a ‘country of particular concern.’ President Trump has expanded efforts to address Christian violence in Nigeria, including potential aid measures. However, the Nigerian government disputes the U.S. claims, maintaining that the situation is under control. The Associated Press contributed to this report, highlighting ongoing security challenges and the complex political dynamics at play in the region.