RIMA MD Lauds Kebbi Governor's Dedication to Duty as Maga Girls' Rescue is Hailed a Triumph

By Umar Faruk 

Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, Nigeria

November 27, 2025(Series News Online)

The Managing Director of Sokoto River Rima Basin Development Authority, Abubakar Malam, has praised Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State for his unwavering commitment to securing the release of the abducted Maga school girls.

Addressing newsmen in Birnin Kebbi, Malam described Governor Idris as "a symbol of political hero driven by the thirst to provide hope for the hopeless and strength for the weak in trying times."

"He is honest to a fault and his commitment to protecting and serving his people is beyond imagination," Malam said. "If you look at him well, you will see that he has lost weight within one week of the ordeal. That's expected of any good leader."

Malam recalled previous school abductions in the state, noting that Governor Idris had stood firm and ensured the girls' rescue. "This wasn't the first school abduction, it happened some few years back. The story was bad because besides the girls staying longer in the hands of the bandits, some came home with new born babies for the abductors. Some parents lost their lives from heart attacks because of the unbearable conditions of their children."

He commended President Tinubu for standing behind Governor Idris during the trying times, particularly by relocating the Minister of State, Defence, Dr Bello Matawalle, to Kebbi, which ensured the girls' release.

"The abducted girls were handed over to Governor Idris and in turn he reunited them with their families at a public ceremony in Government House," Malam said. "Besides the souvenirs the wife of the Governor, Zainab Nasir Idris gave them, they were treated to a special lunch."

Malam also expressed happiness that the health personnel had declared the rescued girls hale and hearty, attributing the success to the professional approach to negotiations.

He called on the people of the state to drop political, ethnic, and religious differences and vote into power both Governor Idris and President Tinubu come 2027 to continue the good work they are doing for humanity.