The Kebbi State Government on Wednesday said medical reports confirmed that none of the 24 freed Maga schoolgirls suffered any form of sexual abuse while in captivity.

The state Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Dr Halima Bande, disclosed this during the formal handing over of the freed girls to their parents at the Government House, Birnin Kebbi.

Suspected bandits on Monday, November 17, launched an early morning attack on Government Girls’ Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga and abducted 24 schoolgirls.

Ms Bande said, “Today, we are in a happy mood, we are here to hand over these freed girls to their parents. We give all glory to our creator, who made it possible for our leaders to actualise the rescue of these girls. About eight days ago we were thrown into trauma, because these girls were nowhere to be found.

“Our leader, the Executive Governor of Kebbi State and the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, joined forces which culminated in the rescue of these girls. Our greatest joy is that medical report has shown that all of the girls were confirmed to be safe and free from any form of sexual abuse.”

She appreciated other stakeholders including parents, religious leaders, and traditional institutions that contributed to the success of the rescue mission.

In his remarks, Governor Nasir Idris expressed gratitude to God for the successful rescue of the girls.

“I am the happiest person because these girls were safely rescued unharmed. This is a happy day that we have been longing for, especially with what happened to our children at Maga school,” he said.

The governor recalled that Mr President directed the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), state minister of defence and the security chiefs to coordinate on how to successfully rescue the abducted children.

“This directive has no doubt yielded a positive result. We are here today celebrating an all-encompassing success. We are very grateful to Mr President,” he said.

The governor advised the freed girls not to be discouraged in the pursuit of education, instead, they should strive hard to excel.

He urged citizens of the state to do everything possible to ensure that the state live in peace, insisting that no development would be recorded in an atmosphere of rancour, acrimony or breach of peace

Mr Idris described the harmonious relationship between him and the three former governors of the state compared to other states as a sign progress and togetherness. 

He said security arrangements had been made to escort the rescued schoolgirls and their parents to Maga.

Responding on behalf of the parents, Ibrahim Haruna-Maga, supported by two other parents, Iliyasu Birnin-Tudu and Umaru Garba, appreciated the federal and state governments and security agencies for making the rescue possible.

“We pray Almighty Allah will reward all those that contributed to the success of the rescue mission. Governor Nasir Idris has shown that he is a father to all of us, we are happy. To Mr President, we are very grateful for his efforts, only God Almighty will reward all of you,” he said.

Credible sources said that the schoolgirls were rescued in Bagega forest in the Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara State. 

(NAN)