By Deborah Nnamdi
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, on Tuesday visited Maga community in Kebbi State, where he directed troops of Operation Fasan Yamma to launch an aggressive, round-the-clock operation to rescue students abducted from Government Girls Secondary School, Maga.
During an assessment briefing with frontline troops, the Army Chief warned that bandits were increasingly targeting vulnerable communities and soft civilian locations, stressing that the trend must be met with superior strategy, intelligence, and sustained military pressure.
“You must continue day and night fighting. We must find these children,” Shaibu ordered.
He tasked field commanders to prioritize intelligence-driven missions and respond swiftly to credible information.
“For the commanders here, you must leverage intelligence to conduct intelligence-based missions. Once you receive information like this, act professionally and decisively. This is not just about our image; it is about doing our job properly,” he said.
Shaibu further instructed troops to maintain 24-hour operations until every abducted student is safely found and reunited with their families.
The COAS also met with local vigilantes and hunters supporting security operations in the area. He highlighted their critical role, citing their deep knowledge of the terrain and ability to provide actionable intelligence.
“If we have people like you, you are the ones who will work with us and provide local intelligence. You know these forests; you know where the criminals hide,” he said.
“Your hunters should storm the nooks and crannies of these forests. Soldiers will join you. We are counting on you to work with us to bring lasting peace.”
He condemned the bandits’ mission to instill fear and disrupt education, vowing that the military would not allow schools to become targets.
“What these evil people are trying to do is scare children from going to school. Let every man know we will not allow that,” he said.
Earlier, General Shaibu visited the traditional ruler of Danko, Abubakar Allaje, and the principal of the attacked school, Rabi Magaji, offering condolences and assuring them of the military’s unwavering support.
Reaffirming the Army’s resolve, he said: “We are fully committed. We will not relent. The safety of these children is a national priority, and we are deploying every resource to ensure they return home safely.”
