The controversy surrounding the abduction of 25 schoolgirls in Kebbi State deepened on Tuesday after Senate President Godswill Akpabio made comments that many Nigerians say trivialised the worsening security crisis.
Akpabio made the remarks during plenary while senators debated the killing of Brigadier-General Uba Musa in Borno State and the abduction of the schoolgirls from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area.
During the heated session, Akpabio urged senators to keep Nigeria’s size and security limitations in mind, arguing that no country is crime-free and that security agencies are overstretched.
“We sympathise deeply with the families affected, but we must remember that Nigeria is a very large country,” he said.
“It is not even possible to deploy one policeman to each polling unit during elections.
Our security agencies are overstretched and find themselves in places they shouldn’t ordinarily be.”
He added that crime occurs even in advanced nations.
“There is no society without crime. Even the almighty America records crime daily. But we must continue to do our best to minimise it.”
His comments, however, sparked criticism from civil society groups and some lawmakers, who accused the Senate President of downplaying a national emergency at a time when citizens expect urgent and decisive action.
Police Confirm Death, Injury in Attack
The Kebbi State Police Command earlier confirmed that heavily armed bandits abducted 25 students during an early-morning attack on Monday.
The assault left one staff member, Hassan Makuku, dead and another, Ali Shehu, injured.
Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Nafi’u Abubakar Kotarkoshi, said the attack occurred around 4:00 a.m. when armed men stormed the school premises, engaged officers in a gun duel, and eventually breached the perimeter fence.
Despite resistance from security personnel on duty, the attackers overpowered them and forcibly removed the girls from their hostel.
The police spokesperson said Shehu sustained gunshot wounds to his right hand during the confrontation.
Following the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Bello Muhammad Sani, deployed additional tactical units to the area.
Military personnel and local vigilante groups have also been mobilised to support search and rescue operations.
The attack is the latest in a wave of violent incidents targeting schools across northern Nigeria, prompting renewed calls for stronger security measures and accountability from government leaders.