Northern Women Call for Concrete Action, Not Condolences, Following Kebbi School Attack

Northern women’s group Voices for Inclusion and Equity for Women (VIEW) has condemned the abduction of 25 schoolgirls from Government Girls’ Comprehensive Senior Secondary School, Maga, in Danko/Wasagu LGA, Kebbi State.

In a statement on Wednesday, signed by Asmau Joda, Maryam Uwais, Mairo Mandara, Aisha Oyebode, Fatima Akilu, Kadaria Ahmed, Larai Ocheja Amusan, and Ier Jonathan-Ichaver, VIEW described the attack as a “failure of leadership” and a devastating blow to the nation’s conscience.

Gunmen stormed the school in the early hours of Monday, killing Vice Principal Hassan Yakubu Makuku and abducting 25 students.

VIEW said the incident underscores the government’s continued inability to secure schools, noting that despite previous tragedies in Chibok, Dapchi, and Jangebe, educational institutions in northern Nigeria remain vulnerable. “More than a decade after repeated mass abductions, Northern Nigeria is still one of the most dangerous places in the world for a girl seeking an education,” the group said.

Many signatories are active members of the Bring Back Our Girls movement and have worked closely with communities affected by insecurity. VIEW warned that recurring kidnappings highlight the state’s failure to protect girls, who already face social and economic disadvantages, and emphasized the shortcomings of the Safe Schools Initiative.

The group demanded an intelligence-driven rescue operation with daily public updates, urging authorities to avoid the slow responses that followed previous mass abductions. It also called for visible action from the President, First Lady, Kebbi State Government, Northern Governors’ Forum, Northern Senators’ Forum, Arewa caucuses in the National Assembly, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and security agencies.

“This is not a moment for silence or excuses. The abduction of the Maga girls must be treated as a national emergency,” the statement said.

VIEW urged Nigerian women to unite and speak out, emphasizing that northern women are tired of mourning without meaningful action. “The girls of Maga must be located, rescued, and reunited with their families without delay. Their return is a test of leadership and humanity,” the group added.