President Bola Tinubu has sent Vice President Kashim Shettima to Kebbi State to visit the victims the families of the schoolgirls taken from a boarding school in Maga.

He also assured that the government is working to guarantee their safe and prompt rescue.

He added that the abduction occurred despite intelligence alerts about a potential attack by the bandits.

In a statement released on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President also offered sympathies to the military over the deaths of several soldiers and Brigadier General Musa Uba, who lost their lives while confronting insurgents in Borno State.

Tinubu said he had received full briefings from military authorities on both incidents and expressed profound sadness over the assault on the school.

He outlined that the abduction occurred “despite intelligence warnings of a possible strike by the bandits,” while commending Kebbi State Governor Mohammed Nasir Idris “for the efforts made to avert the kidnapping.”

Describing the attack as a painful setback, the President advised communities—particularly those in security-vulnerable areas—to work more closely with security operatives.

Tinubu while lamenting to the tragedy incident declared that, “As the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, I am depressed with the tragic death of our soldiers and officers on active duty. May God comfort the families of Brigadier General Musa Uba and other fallen heroes.”

He said he was equally troubled by the assault on schoolchildren, stating, “I am also depressed that heartless terrorists have disrupted the education of innocent schoolgirls. I have directed the security agencies to act swiftly and bring the girls back to Kebbi State.”

The President highlighted that citizen cooperation remains central to weakening criminal networks and preventing further attacks.

“Our security forces cannot succeed in protecting us if the people don’t cooperate and share information that will help them keep our communities safe.

“I urge community leaders and our compatriots across the country, especially those in the theatres of operations, to share useful information. Your cooperation is crucial in our fight against these security challenges,” he said.

Vice President Shettima is expected in Kebbi on Wednesday to meet with state officials, reassure affected parents, and convey the President’s message of solidarity and commitment, the statement noted.