A coalition of prominent Nigerian women under the platform Voices for Inclusion and Equity for Women (VIEW) has condemned the abduction of students from Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State, describing the attack as a “direct challenge to Nigeria’s leadership and collective humanity.”
In a statement jointly signed by Asmau Joda, Maryam Uwais, Mairo Mandara, Aisha Oyebode, Fatima Akilu, Kadaria Ahmed, Larai Ocheja Amusan, and Ier Jonathan-Ichaver, the group expressed outrage over the dawn attack in which armed men killed the school’s Vice Principal, Hassan Yakubu Makuku, injured a guard, and abducted 25 students.
According to VIEW, Monday’s incident highlights the state’s persistent failure to protect schoolchildren, despite years of promises following similar mass kidnappings in Chibok, Dapchi, Jangebe and other communities across northern Nigeria.
The signatories, many of whom played central roles in the Bring Back Our Girls movement, said the latest tragedy paints a grim reality: “More than a decade after repeated tragedies, Northern Nigeria is still one of the most dangerous places in the world for a girl to pursue an education.”
The group criticised political leaders, security agencies, and northern representatives for what they described as years of inadequate protection for girls who already face cultural and economic barriers to schooling. They warned that repeated abductions now raise serious concerns about systemic neglect and the deepening marginalisation of northern girls.
VIEW demanded immediate, intelligence-led rescue operations and daily public briefings, cautioning against the slow, poorly coordinated responses that have marred previous incidents.
They urged the President, First Lady, Kebbi State Governor, Northern Governors’ Forum, Northern Senators and House caucuses, Arewa Consultative Forum, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and heads of security agencies to demonstrate visible and decisive leadership.
“This is not a moment for silence or excuses. The abduction of the Maga girls must be treated as a national emergency,” the group said. “Every hour these girls spend in captivity worsens their trauma and increases their risk.”
VIEW also called on Nigerian women to unite in demanding accountability, stating that northern women are “tired of perpetual mourning and leaders offering condolences instead of concrete solutions.”
“No nation can claim to value its future while abandoning its daughters to violence,” the statement added. “The girls of Maga must be found, rescued and reunited with their families without delay. Their safe return is a test of our leadership and our humanity.”
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