The Chairman of Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area, Hussaini Aliyu, has dismissed a claim by US lawmaker Riley Moore suggesting that the schoolgirls abducted in Maga were taken from a Christian community.
Speaking on Wednesday, Aliyu clarified—as reported by Channels TV—that all the abducted girls are Muslims. He cautioned Moore against making unverified statements capable of fueling religious or ethnic tension, especially at a time when authorities are focused on rescuing the victims.
He stressed that the Zuru Emirate, where Maga is located, has never experienced religious conflict and questioned why the US lawmaker issued comments that could cast Nigeria in a negative light.
Aliyu also released the names of the abducted students:
Senior Secondary School 2A
1. Fatima Sani Zimri
2. Hafsat Ibrahim
3. Nana Firdausi Jibril
4. Masauda Yakubu Romo
Senior Secondary School 2B
5. Hauwa Saleh
6. Hauwau Umar Imam
Senior Secondary School 3A & 3B
7. Salima Garba Umar
8. Salima Sani Zimri
9. Amina G. Umar
10. Rashida Muhammad Dingu
11. Saliha Umar
12. Aisha Usman
13. Jamila Iliyasu
14. Maryam Illiyasu
15. Najaatu Abdullahi
16. Zainab Kolo
Junior Secondary School 3A
17. Surraya Tukur
18. Hafsat Umar Yalmo
19. Maryam Usman
20. Amina Illiyasu
21. Ikilima Suleman
Junior Secondary School 2
22. Khadija Nazifi
23. Hauwa’u Iliyasu
24. Hauwa’u Lawali
25. Ummu Kulsum Abdulkarim
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Aliyu’s response followed Moore’s social media post urging prayers for the girls and stating—without confirmation—that the attack occurred in a Christian enclave in Northern Nigeria.
The attack, which happened early Monday, resulted in the death of the school’s Vice Principal, Malam Hassan Makuku, who was killed while trying to prevent the abduction.
Reports indicate that one of the students has escaped, while police have deployed a combined tactical team to comb the forest and rescue the others.
President Bola Tinubu condemned the incident, expressed sympathy to the affected families, and postponed planned trips to South Africa and Angola. He directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to visit Kebbi State on his behalf.
