Kebbi Official Counters US Lawmaker’s Claim, Releases Names of 25 Abducted Muslim Schoolgirls

Local authority refutes allegation of religious targeting in Nigeria school abduction as rescue operations intensify

Controversy Over Religious Narrative

The Chairman of Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area in Kebbi State, Hussaini Aliyu, has publicly refuted claims by U.S. lawmaker Riley Moore that last week’s school abduction in Maga targeted a “Christian enclave.” The local official described the characterization as factually incorrect and potentially inflammatory.

In a statement aimed at countering what he termed “unverified statements,” Aliyu emphasized that all 25 abducted students are Muslim and cautioned against narratives that could exacerbate religious tensions during ongoing rescue operations.

“The Zuru Emirate, where the Maga community is located, has no record of religious conflict,” Aliyu stated, underscoring the region’s history of interfaith coexistence.

Identifying the Victims

In an unusual move to substantiate his counter-claims, the local government chairman released the complete list of abducted students, providing transparency amid the developing crisis. The names released include:

Senior Secondary Students

From SS2A:
Fatima Sani Zimri
Hafsat Ibrahim
Nana Firdausi Jibril
Masauda Yakubu Romo

From SS2B:
Hauwa Saleh
Hauwau Umar Imam

From SS3A & SS3B:
Salima Garba Umar
Salima Sani Zimri
Amina G. Umar
Rashida Muhammad Dingu
Saliha Umar
Aisha Usman
Jamila Iliyasu
Maryam Illiyasu
Najaatu Abdullahi
Zainab Kolo

Junior Secondary Students

From JSS3A:
Surraya Tukur
Hafsat Umar Yalmo
Maryam Usman
Amina Illiyasu
Ikilima Suleman

From JSS2:
Khadija Nazifi
Hauwa’u Iliyasu
Hauwa’u Lawali
Ummum Umm

Casualty and Response Efforts

The local chairman also confirmed that the school’s Vice Principal, Malam Hassan Makuku, was killed while attempting to prevent the abduction, highlighting the bravery of educators in the face of the attack.

Security forces have deployed a combined tactical team to comb nearby forests in pursuit of the abductors and ensure the safe return of the students. The police operation represents one of several recent responses to school abductions that have plagued northern Nigeria.

National and International Response

The incident has drawn significant attention at the highest levels of Nigerian government. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu strongly condemned the abduction and postponed planned foreign trips to South Africa and Angola to focus on the security situation.

Vice President Kashim Shettima visited Kebbi State on Wednesday to commiserate with affected families on behalf of the president, underscoring the federal government’s engagement with the crisis.

The controversy surrounding the U.S. lawmaker’s comments highlights the sensitivity of religious narratives in reporting on Nigerian security incidents and the importance of verified information during developing crises.

This report is based on information originally published by Neptune Prime.