A tragedy in Kebbi!
I am deeply saddened by the brutal attack on Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State, in which 25 innocent schoolgirls and our beloved daughters were abducted, and the Vice Principal, Malam Hassan Yakubu Makuku, was killed while protecting the students. It is important to reiterate that the right to education is fundamental and must never be denied by violence or intimidation of terrorists and other criminals.
The security and welfare of Nigerians are the primary responsibilities of the government, as enshrined in our 1999 constitution as amended. This tragic incident reminds us of the urgent need for all tiers of government and security agencies to rise decisively in order to protect our citizens and safeguard our schools at all levels.
Thus, I call on security agencies to intensify efforts to secure the immediate release of the abducted students and bring the perpetrators of this heinous attack to justice. On this note, I also want to call on the government to honour the amazing heroism of the late Vice Principal who, in an attempt to protect his students from harm, lost his life in the process. He is indeed a hero.
I am using this medium once again, therefore, to extend my heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, the Governor of Kebbi State, the people of Kebbi, and the entire educational community in this difficult moment.
Finally, we pray to Allah to humiliate all the criminals perpetuating these evil actions and similar ones all over the country. May He continue to guide and support our security agencies to bring an end to these security challenges.
Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, CON
(Majidaɗin Daular Usmaniyya).