Religious identity of Kebbi abductees triggers debate over media coverage

By Bukola Hameed

​The recent mass abduction of schoolgirls from the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Danko-Wasagu, Kebbi State, Nigeria, has ignited a sharp controversy regarding media narratives and religious identity.

Following the release of the list of the twenty-five kidnapped students, the names strongly indicate that all the girls are Muslims.

​This finding has led to accusations of bias against mainstream media outlets, which have consistently described the victims simply as “abducted schoolgirls” rather than explicitly mentioning their religious affiliation.

Muslim News Nigeria, a prominent publication, argued that this omission suggests a double standard in reporting on violence, questioning whether the narrative would have been different had the victims been Christian. The publication asked rhetorically, “Do the lives and safety of Muslims mean less in a country where they’re the majority?”

The outlet stated that the Kebbi abduction is a clear example of this selective reporting, despite the list released by Danko-Wasagu L.G.A Chairman, Hussaini Aliyu, unequivocally confirming the victims’ Muslim names, which include Fatima Sani Zimri, Salima Garba Umar, Aisha Usman, and Ummulkulsum Abdulkarim.

This perspective, according to the publication, aligns with comments reportedly made by political analyst Reuben Abati on the Arise News Morning Show.

​The publishers declared their intention to “continue to document every attack on Muslims in Nigeria,” especially when they feel the mainstream media refuses to report them or denies fair coverage. The piece also specifically mentioned U.S. figures like Donald Trump and Riley Moore, urging them to rely on accurate facts rather than potentially misleading narratives, asserting that “Facts matter and selective outrage only fuels division.”

The issue highlights a persistent tension in Nigerian society over how insecurity, which affects communities of all faiths, is framed and reported, particularly when dealing with high-profile tragedies like the mass kidnapping of students.