Five former students of Federal Government Girls College (FGGC), Birnin Yauri, who were held captive by bandits for nearly two years, have recorded remarkable success in the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).

The students—Hafsat Murtala, Faiza Ahmed, Esther Sunday, Rebecca James, and Neempere Daniel—were among 96 students and eight teachers abducted during a bandit attack on their school in June 2021. They were finally released in 2023 after payment of a N100 million ransom.

According to JAMB results recently released, Hafsat, Faiza, and Rebecca each scored 225 points, while Esther scored 217 points. Neempere, who reportedly experienced significant trauma during captivity, scored 117 points.

Following their rescue, the Kebbi State Government enrolled the girls in private schools outside the state for security and rehabilitation purposes. A government official revealed that the sponsorship began under former Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu and has been continued by the current Governor, Nasir Idris, who has also enhanced their welfare package.

"The outcome of government support is evident in their JAMB results," the official stated. The government has also been providing transportation for the girls during holidays, flying them home and back to school.

Parents and guardians of the girls expressed profound emotions over their academic achievements despite their traumatic experiences. Salim Kaoje, Chairman of the Parents' Forum, noted: "Some parents died during the long wait for their daughters. Today, those children are making us proud."

James Nwasolu-Abisi, father of Rebecca James, said: "We never thought they would bounce back after what they went through. But here they are, shining."

Munirat Bala, mother of Faiza Ahmad who scored 225, appealed for continued support: "She is my only daughter. I want the government to support them up to university level."

In a particularly poignant case, Mrs. Tafia Daniel Alkali, whose daughter Neempere scored 117, revealed that her husband died just two weeks after their daughter's release. "We didn't expect this after everything, but we thank God and the government," she said.

The girls' academic resilience represents a remarkable recovery story following their harrowing ordeal, highlighting both their personal strength and the impact of targeted educational support from the Kebbi State Government.