Binta Aliyu, Kebbi State
The Chairman of Danko‑Wasagu Local Government Area, Hussaini Aliyu, has refuted a statement attributed to U.S. Representative Riley Moore alleging that the recent abduction of schoolgirls from Maga occurred in a Christian enclave.
Aliyu urged the lawmaker to refrain from making unverified remarks that could inflame religious or ethnic tensions while authorities focus on rescuing the girls.
He noted that the Zuru Emirate, under which Maga falls, has never experienced sectarian violence and questioned why the comment portrays Nigeria negatively.
In a press briefing, Aliyu released the names of the abducted students, grouped by school and class:
Senior Secondary School 2A
1. Fatima Sani Zimri
2. Hafsat Ibrahim
3. Nana Firdausi Jibril
4. Masauda Yakubu Romo
Senior Secondary School 2B
5. Hauwa Saleh
6. Hauwau Umar Imam
Senior Secondary School 3A & 3B
7. Salima Garba Umar
8. Salima Sani Zimri
9. Amina G. Umar
10. Rashida Muhammad Dingu
11. Saliha Umar
12. Aisha Usman
13. Jamila Iliyasu
14. Maryam Illiyasu
15. Najaatu Abdullahi
16. Zainab Kolo
Junior Secondary School 3A
17. Surraya Tukur
18. Hafsat Umar Yalmo
19. Maryam Usman
20. Amina Illiyasu
21. Ikilima Suleman
Junior Secondary School 2
22. Khadija Nazifi
23. Hauwa’u Iliyasu
24. Hauwa’u Lawali
25. Ummu Kulsum Abdulkarim
The chairman’s statement comes amid intensified search‑and‑rescue operations involving police tactical units, the military, and local vigilantes in the forest surrounding Maga.
President Bola Tinubu has ordered an accelerated rescue effort, and Vice‑President Kashim Shettima has visited Kebbi to meet the families of the victims.
Authorities appealed for calm and urged anyone with credible information to contact security agencies.
The release of the girls’ names aims to counter misinformation and ensure accurate information reaches the public.
Lateefah Ibrahim