By Deborah Nnamdi
The wife of the slain Vice Principal of Government Girls’ Comprehensive Secondary School, Gada, in Kebbi State, Amina Hassan, has recounted the terrifying moment armed bandits invaded their home, killed her husband, and abducted dozens of schoolgirls in a coordinated early-morning attack.
The assault occurred at about 3:30 a.m. when heavily armed men dressed in army camouflage stormed the community. The Kebbi State Police Command confirmed that at least 25 students were taken from the Government Girls’ Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area.
Police spokesperson, CSP Nafi’u Abubakar Kotarkoshi, said the attackers exchanged gunfire with security personnel before scaling the school’s fence and breaking into the female hostel. One staff member was shot dead, while another sustained injuries during the attack.
Speaking to DW, Amina Hassan said she woke her husband after hearing unusual movement outside, thinking cattle had strayed into their farm. Before they could respond, the attackers burst through their door. She described them as young men clad in military-style uniforms and said their voices suggested they were Fulani.
Amina revealed that the gunmen threatened to kill her husband if he resisted. He pleaded with them to allow him to pray one last time, and after he finished, they shot him dead. When she attempted to go near his body, they warned her to stay back or risk being killed as well.
She said the assailants made attempts to abduct her, but she refused, telling them she would not follow the men who had just murdered her husband. The attackers then instructed her children to lie down inside the house before leaving.
Amina later tried to escape with her children but discovered that the entire community, including the school premises, had been taken over by the armed men.
Security operatives have since launched a massive search-and-rescue effort to locate the kidnappers and free the abducted students. Authorities are yet to provide an update on the operation.
