Authorities confirmed on Tuesday, as hunters and security forces intensify their search for the remaining missing students, .

The girls were kidnapped before dawn on Monday when gunmen attacked the school.

The school principal, Musa Rabi Magaji, confirmed that the first escapee arrived home late on Monday.

Another student managed to flee immediately after the raid and was not taken.

‘They are safe and sound’, Magaji told AP.

A video verified by AP shows the two schoolgirls, appearing to be in their early teens, surrounded by family members in the village.

The attack prompted an immediate response from security forces.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Waidi Shaibu, ordered troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA to intensify efforts in the search-and-rescue mission for the abducted students.

He directed ‘intelligence-driven operations and relentless day-and-night pursuit of the abductors’, and added: ‘We must find these children. Act decisively and professionally on all intelligence. Success is not optional’.

The state governor, Dr. Nasir Idris visited the school on Monday, promising swift action to rescue the girls.

A resident, Abdulkarim Abdullahi said he overheard the gunfire from his home.

‘I was at home when I suddenly heard gunshots from the school. We were told that the attackers entered the school with many motorcycles’, he said.

Amina Hassan, wife of the school Vice Principal, Hassan Yakubu Makuku—who was killed by the gunmen—described the attack on her husband.

‘Three of them entered and asked my husband, ‘Are you Malam Hassan?’ and he responded, ‘Yes, I am.’ They told him that we are here to kill you’, she said.

On Tuesday, President Bola Tinubu sent Vice President Kashim Shettima to the state to meet with grieving families of the schoolgirls abducted from a boarding school in Maga.

He also promised that the government is working to ensure their safe and swift return.

While PUNCH could not independently verify the reports as of press time on Tuesday night, our correspondent reports that efforts are underway to reach the state’s police command.