The Chairman of Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi state, Hussaini Aliyu, has dismissed a claim by U.S. lawmaker Riley Moore alleging that the abduction of the students of Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School, Maga, occurred in a Christian enclave.
Aliyu clarified that all the abducted school girls are Muslims, describing the comment as misleading and capable of sowing unnecessary religious tension at a time when government efforts are focused on securing the girls’ release.
He stressed that the Zuru Emirate, under which Maga community falls, has a long history of peaceful coexistence and has never experienced religious crises.
He therefore urged the U.S. lawmaker to refrain from making unverified statements that portray Nigeria negatively or undermine national unity.
Released names are as follows:
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. Hauwa’u 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
22. Khadija Nazifi
23. Hauwa’u Iliyasu
24. Hauwa’u Lawali
25. Ummu Kulsum Abdulkarim.
In a post on X urging his followers to pray for the 25 girls, Riley claimed to have knowledge that the attack occurred in a Christian enclave in Northern Nigeria, but said he did not have details on the incident.
“Please join me in praying for the 25 girls who have been kidnapped and for the repose of the soul of their vice principal who was killed. “While we don’t have all the details on this horrific attack, we know that the attack occurred in a Christian enclave in Northern Nigeria. The Nigerian government must do more to end the rampant violence,” he stated on Tuesday.
