By — Associated Press Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/all-24-schoolgirls-abducted-from-school-nigeria-have-been-rescued-president-says Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter All 24 schoolgirls abducted from school Nigeria have been rescued, president says World Nov 25, 2025 2:14 PM EST LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) — All 24 schoolgirls who were abducted by armed assailants from a school last week in Kebbi in northwestern Nigeria have been rescued, the country’s president announced Tuesday. The girls were abducted on Nov. 17, and police at the time had said 25 were taken, but a statement Tuesday quoted President Bola Tinubu as saying that all 24 of the students who had been abducted were rescued. No details were released about the rescue mission. “I am relived that all the 24 girls gave been accounted for. Now, we must put as a matter of urgency more boots on the ground in the vulnerable areas to avert further incidents of kidnapping,” the statement quoted Tinubu as saying. READ MORE: Pope calls on kidnappers to free 265 Nigerian students and teachers after 50 pupils escape The attack in Kebbi was among a spate of recent mass abductions in Nigeria. Attackers raided a Catholic school Friday in north-central Niger state and abducted more than 300 students and staff. Fifty students escaped over the weekend. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now By — Associated Press Associated Press
LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) — All 24 schoolgirls who were abducted by armed assailants from a school last week in Kebbi in northwestern Nigeria have been rescued, the country’s president announced Tuesday. The girls were abducted on Nov. 17, and police at the time had said 25 were taken, but a statement Tuesday quoted President Bola Tinubu as saying that all 24 of the students who had been abducted were rescued. No details were released about the rescue mission. “I am relived that all the 24 girls gave been accounted for. Now, we must put as a matter of urgency more boots on the ground in the vulnerable areas to avert further incidents of kidnapping,” the statement quoted Tinubu as saying. READ MORE: Pope calls on kidnappers to free 265 Nigerian students and teachers after 50 pupils escape The attack in Kebbi was among a spate of recent mass abductions in Nigeria. Attackers raided a Catholic school Friday in north-central Niger state and abducted more than 300 students and staff. Fifty students escaped over the weekend. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now