By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, is questioning the withdrawal of troops from Government Girls’ Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area, shortly before the abduction of 25 schoolgirls.
Idris said he was “deeply troubled” that security personnel pulled out of the school despite prior intelligence alerts provided by the state government.
He stated this on Friday, November 21, while receiving the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, who led a solidarity visit to the state.
The governor disclosed that soldiers reportedly left the school around 3:00 a.m. while the attackers struck less than 45 minutes later in the early hours of Monday, November 17.
He also noted that the withdrawal contradicted earlier assurances of enhanced protection for schools in vulnerable border communities frequently targeted by bandits.
Idris said: “As a responsive government, when we received intelligence on a possible attack, we summoned a security meeting.
“The security agencies assured us that all was well and that personnel would be mobilised to the school.
“The military was deployed, but they later withdrew by 3:00 a.m. and by 3:45 a.m., the incident happened.”
The governor demanded a full military investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
He said: “Who authorised the military to withdraw?” How did security personnel pull out at such a critical time? That is our concern. We have asked the military to investigate and identify who gave that order.”
Idris also assured that both the state and Federal Governments were working relentlessly to secure the release of the abducted schoolgirls.
“Our duty as leaders is to ensure that our daughters return home safely, and we are doing everything possible to achieve that.
“We thank President Bola Tinubu for directing Vice-President Kashim Shettima to visit us, and for ensuring that the Minister of State for Defence, Alhaji Bello Matawalle, has relocated to Kebbi.”
Speaking, Ajaero, expressed solidarity with the state and the families of the abducted students, urging federal security agencies to ensure the safe rescue of the girls.
He further noted that the incident was disturbing and occurred at a time when the state was recording notable gains in governance under Idris.
“This incident came at a time when the state is witnessing good service delivery and development under the leadership of Gov. Idris
“Any attempt to stop the tide of progress will never succeed. We are ready to place the state side-by-side with others in terms of development.
“This is a distraction, but we urge you to stand firm; we sympathise with you and we are with you,” Ajaero said.
Ajaero added that the NLC would review its policy direction to support efforts aimed at strengthening security in schools and communities across the country.
Recall that 25 schoolgirls were kidnapped from Government Girls Secondary School, Maga, in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State, in the early hours of Monday, November 17, by suspected bandits.
During the attack, the school’s Vice Principal, Hassan Makuku, was killed, while Ali Shehu, a security guard, sustained a gunshot injury to his right hand.
