Kidnapped FGC Yauri Schoolgirls Defy Odds, Graduate with Distinction from Top Northern School
In a remarkable story of courage and resilience, five schoolgirls who were abducted in 2021 from the Federal Government College (FGC), Birnin Yauri, have graduated with distinction from a prestigious international school in Northern Nigeria. Their journey from captivity to academic success is being hailed as a beacon of hope and a powerful national inspiration.
The girls were among 11 students kidnapped by armed bandits on June 17, 2021. Some of them spent over 707 days in captivity before being released between April and May 2023, following intense negotiations and nationwide pleas for assistance. Their freedom came after a notorious bandit leader, Dogo Gide, demanded a N100 million ransom.
Their graduation ceremony was a moment of overwhelming emotion and celebration. Speaking to PRNigeria, Mallam Salim Kaoje, Chairman of the Committee of Parents of the Abducted Girls, expressed profound gratitude and joy. “From pain to joy, from joy to gain—here we are today,” he said. “Glory be to God. Alhamdulillah ya Allah for this first set, and we pray for more victories ahead.”
Mallam Kaoje specially commended Kebbi State Governor, Dr. Nasir Idris (Kauran Gwandu), for his role in the girls’ rehabilitation, including scholarships and full logistical support that enabled them to enroll in one of the region’s best boarding schools. He appealed for continued support as they transition to higher education, preferably at international institutions to guarantee a secure and high-quality learning environment.
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“All parents and relatives are extremely thankful to witness this day,” he added. “After years of anguish and uncertainty, we celebrate not just their survival—but their success.”
Despite the trauma of abduction, psychological scars, and disrupted learning, the girls demonstrated remarkable determination. They re-entered the classroom, faced emotional and academic challenges head-on, and emerged triumphant.
According to PRNigeria, four of the girls pursued science-based subjects while one opted for the social sciences. Their 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) results reflect their perseverance and resilience. Three scored above 220, one scored 217, and only one recorded below 200. The breakdown is as follows: Hafsat Murtala – 222; Faiza Ahmed – 225; Esther Sunday – 217; Rebecca James – 225; and Neemphere Daniel – 177.
While these scores may seem modest in competitive academic circles, their symbolic significance is profound. They represent the triumph of the human spirit over trauma, the determination of young girls to reclaim their futures, and the impact of collective national support in rehabilitating victims of violence.
Their academic success is not only a personal victory—it stands as a national call to action. It underscores the urgent need to invest in the rehabilitation, education, and empowerment of children affected by conflict, displacement, and terrorism across Nigeria.
These FGC Yauri schoolgirls have emerged not just as survivors, but as shining symbols of hope, strength, and the boundless potential of every Nigerian child—regardless of the circumstances of their birth or the tragedies they have endured.
By PRNigeria
