At least 25 students were abducted and the Vice Principal killed during a deadly attack on the Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School (GGCSS) in Maga, Kebbi State.

According to reports, the incident occurred Sunday night in the Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area.

Reports indicate that the attackers killed Vice Principal Malam Hassan Makuku while he tried to protect the students.

Witnesses said the gunmen operated with ease, causing panic across the school and surrounding communities.

Community members have been offering prayers for Makuku, asking Allah to grant him mercy and comfort his family over the loss.

The Kebbi State Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Nafiu Abubakar, confirmed that 25 students were abducted during the raid.

Governor Nasir Idris, currently out of the state, has sent Deputy Governor Senator Umar Tafida to the school to assess the situation.

Ahmed Idris, the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, said the deputy governor is on site to provide updates on behalf of the governor.

Concerned parents and residents are anxiously awaiting news about the fate of the abducted students.

A major policy shift has emerged in Nigeria’s education and anti-drug enforcement sectors, as candidates preparing for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) examination will now be subjected to compulsory drug testing before being considered for admission into tertiary institutions.

The new directive was announced by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), marking what analysts describe as one of the most aggressive anti-drug campaigns targeting youths in recent years.

The announcement came from the agency’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), during a reception held in Abuja to formally welcome him into his renewed tenure.

Addressing NDLEA officials, Marwa not only commended personnel for their work over the years but also promised tougher anti-drug strategies, declaring that drug cartels who previously evaded enforcement “with whips should now prepare for scorpions.”

According to Marwa, the introduction of drug testing for JAMB candidates is part of a broader national strategy aimed at prevention rather than reaction.

He explained that the NDLEA had secured the support of the Minister of Education, who agreed to include mandatory drug screening in the admission process for students seeking entry into universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.

The agency believes early testing will help detect substance dependence before it matures into full-scale addiction.

He further elaborated on NDLEA’s expanded drug demand reduction initiatives, emphasising prevention, counseling, rehabilitation, and public sensitisation.

Marwa disclosed that the agency currently operates 30 rehabilitation centres across Nigeria, with plans underway to establish additional zonal facilities in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health.

The objective, he said, is to widen access to treatment for young people already entangled in substance abuse.

The NDLEA’s new directive arrives amid growing national anxiety over the rise of drug use among secondary school and university students.

Recent academic studies have linked the trend to parental neglect, social pressure, declining moral structures, and economic hardship.

One study focusing on universities across the South-East region found alcohol to be the most abused substance at 61.5 percent, followed by cigarettes at 54.5 percent.

Other commonly abused drugs identified include tramadol (35 percent), cough syrup mixtures (33 percent), shisha (30.5 percent), and cannabis (25.5 percent).

Authorities warn that the situation is further compounded by NDLEA’s estimate that more than ten million Nigerians currently use cannabis, a figure that has raised alarm among policymakers.

Several violent incidents involving secondary school students have also been linked to the influence of hard drugs, prompting calls for stricter oversight within the school system.

While many parents have welcomed the new screening policy as a preventative measure, others argue that it could stigmatise students or be poorly implemented in rural communities.

Education stakeholders are now awaiting formal guidelines on how the tests will be conducted, who will bear the financial cost, and how the results will be integrated into the admission process.

The NDLEA’s directive signals a new era of student monitoring and youth-targeted drug control, setting the stage for what could become one of the most controversial educational policies implemented ahead of the 2024/2025 admission cycle.

(DDM) – The Anambra State Chapter of the Society of Young Nigerian Writers has celebrated this year’s Chinua Achebe Literary Festival and Memorial Lecture with the theme: “Revisiting The Trouble With Nigeria: The Achebean Perspective.”

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the event aims to preserve the memory of Chinua Achebe and the enduring relevance of his literary works, while also inspiring young writers to reflect on societal issues through Achebe’s lens.

The Coordinator of the Anambra State Chapter, Mr. Izunna Okafor, noted that the festival serves as a platform to honor Achebe’s world-acclaimed works and themes.

He also called on sponsors and partners to support initiatives that will sustain Achebe’s legacy.

Okafor further urged the Anambra State Government to establish a Writers’ Residency and provide the group with a vehicle to enhance mobility and outreach.

The keynote speaker, Professor Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, represented by Dr. Brian Udeh, emphasized Achebe’s role in shaping perspectives on pre-colonial Africa, particularly regarding the Igbo people.

She highlighted how Achebe depicted a society with organized governance and functional systems before colonial intrusion, giving Africa recognition on the global stage.

Chief Damian Okeke-Ogene, Chairman of the event, alongside Commissioner for Information Dr. Law Mefor, encouraged students to take their studies seriously.

They urged them to emulate Achebe by developing leadership qualities, adding value to society despite challenges, and appreciating Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s contributions to education.

The Commissioner for Culture, Tourism and Entertainment, Comrade Don Onyenji; former Presidential Aspirant Mr. Peter Obi, represented by Professor Chinyere Okunna; and the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Soludo, Mr. Chris Aburime, represented by Reverend Ejike Abana, also celebrated Achebe’s legacy.

They encouraged students to follow his example by being intentional about learning and personal growth.

The event featured an essay competition, word-poetry presentations, and the unveiling of the 10th Achebe Poetry and Essay Anthology, highlighting both the literary talents of young writers and the enduring influence of Chinua Achebe on Nigerian literature.

The festival reinforced the importance of nurturing the next generation of writers and leaders who can continue Achebe’s vision of critical engagement with society and the promotion of African culture and identity.