President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has strongly condemned the abduction of schoolgirls in Kebbi State and the killing of Brigadier General Musa Uba along with other soldiers in Borno State.
In a statement shared via his X handle on Wednesday, the President said he was “heartbroken by the abduction of our daughters in Kebbi and the painful loss of Brigadier General Musa Uba and the brave soldiers who fell in Borno.”
Tinubu added that the families of the kidnapped schoolgirls and the fallen military personnel remain in his prayers.
As the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, he expressed deep sorrow over the loss of troops on active duty, saying he is “depressed with the tragic death of our soldiers and officers,” while praying for comfort for the bereaved families.
On the Kebbi incident, the President said: “I am also depressed that heartless terrorists have disrupted the education of innocent schoolgirls. I have directed the security agencies to act swiftly and bring the girls back to Kebbi State.”
He noted that he is fully aware of the recent rise in violent extremism in parts of the country and has instructed security agencies to respond with “urgency, clarity, and decisive action.”
Tinubu also called for stronger cooperation between citizens and security operatives, stressing that community intelligence can save lives and protect children. “Our forces need the full cooperation of every community. Sharing information can save lives,” he stated.
He warned that individuals behind these attacks will “face the full weight of the Nigerian state.”
The schoolgirls’ abduction occurred early Monday when gunmen stormed the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Danko/Wasagu LGA of Kebbi State. The attackers killed the school’s vice principal and a security guard before abducting 25 students. One student reportedly escaped as hunters and security agencies intensified their search for the remaining victims.
Separately, Brigadier General Musa Uba, commander of the 25 Task Force Brigade in Damboa, Borno, was ambushed and captured on Friday during a convoy operation near Wajiroko village. Militants from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) claimed responsibility for executing the senior officer and other soldiers, a report the Nigerian Army initially denied.
Tinubu’s statement confirmed the general’s death, honoring him as one of the “brave soldiers who fell in Borno.”
