Commissioner Halima Bande Confirms 26 Girls Abducted—But Critics Slam ‘Confusing’ Government Numbers

Halima Bande, Kebbi State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, has formally clarified the disturbing numbers surrounding the mass abduction of schoolgirls in the state, confirming that a total of 26 girls were initially taken by the armed kidnappers. Her statement arrives at a tense moment when conflicting reports were spreading across communities, leaving parents desperate for accurate information. Bande emphasized that the government is committed to transparency but admitted that the magnitude of the crisis has created a chaotic early flow of information.

Halima Bande reiterated that an initial verification exercise conducted with community leaders, school officials, and law enforcement agencies produced the number that now stands as the official record—26 girls abducted, 2 escaped, 24 still missing. According to her, the updated figures represent a consolidation of intelligence gathered from multiple sources, which she described as “difficult but necessary work” undertaken under immense pressure. She explained that the escape of two students created both relief and confusion as security personnel raced to confirm identities and establish the truth.

Halima Bande also used the opportunity to appeal to the public to refrain from amplifying unverified numbers or politicizing the tragedy, stressing that misinformation can complicate rescue operations. She argued that in sensitive operations involving minors, accuracy is not just important for public awareness but also crucial for shaping strategic decisions by the military and other security agencies. Her call for restraint, however, has done little to calm the growing frustration among families still waiting for their daughters’ safe return.

Halima Bande Announces Escape of Two Students, Names Them as Salma and Hauwa’u Imam

Halima Bande confirmed that two of the abducted girls—Salma and Hauwa’u Imam—managed to escape from captivity under circumstances that remain under investigation. She described their survival and return as “a blessing in the midst of distress,” noting that the girls are currently undergoing medical and psychological evaluation. Despite the joy their escape brings, Bande emphasized that the fight is far from over, as 24 girls are still in the hands of the kidnappers.

Halima Bande said preliminary assessments show that both girls were weak, traumatized, and visibly shaken when they were brought back, but they are now considered stable. According to her, the government has provided them with a temporary protective environment where they can safely recount details that may help security agencies track the kidnappers’ movements. She stressed that their testimony might become a turning point in planning a targeted rescue operation.

Halima Bande assured families and the general public that the government is placing priority on the welfare of Salma and Hauwa’u to avoid any secondary trauma. She added that specialized counselors, child psychologists, and security officers are working together to ensure that the girls’ needs are met while investigators extract actionable intelligence. Her remarks have generated mixed reactions, with some praising the government’s efforts and others criticizing officials for celebrating two escapes rather than securing the release of the remaining 24.

Halima Bande Responds to Growing Criticism Over Government Handling of Rescue Efforts

Halima Bande responded to widespread criticism that the government has not done enough to rescue the remaining 24 kidnapped students, stressing that rescue operations are ongoing “day and night.” She explained that collaboration between the military, police, and local vigilante groups has intensified, with additional reinforcements deployed to areas identified as potential hideouts. Bande called for patience, insisting that reckless or rushed military action could endanger the lives of the girls still in captivity.

Halima Bande pushed back against accusations that security agencies were caught unprepared or have been slow in responding. She argued that the terrain, the sophistication of the kidnappers, and the need for precision complicate operations. According to her, Nigerians often underestimate the logistical challenges involved in tracking heavily armed criminal groups operating in remote forests, and she urged the public to understand that progress in such situations can be slow but meaningful.

Halima Bande closed her remarks by reaffirming the state government’s commitment to securing the safe return of every abducted student. She maintained that the administration will not relent until all 24 girls are reunited with their families. Her assurances, though firm, have been met with a mix of hope, skepticism, and growing impatience from communities traumatized by repeated episodes of school kidnappings in northern Nigeria.

Parents accuse officials of inconsistent reporting as Bande announces only 24 students remain in captivity after two escaped.