Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris has alleged that military personnel from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, just moments before bandits abducted several students.
Gatekeepers News reports that Idris made the allegation on Friday in Birnin Kebbi while receiving Joe Ajaero, president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), who visited the state to offer condolences following the attack.
He noted that the withdrawal was particularly concerning given prior intelligence suggesting an imminent attack, prompting the state to convene a security meeting to prevent any incident.
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 am, and by 3:45 am, the incident happened.”
Idris further stated that the state had called for a full investigation into the decision to pull back the troops. 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.”
He reassured that both state and federal authorities were exerting every effort to ensure the safe release of the abducted girls.
Idris added, “Our duty as leaders is to ensure that our daughters return home safely, and we are doing everything possible to achieve that.”
He thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for directing Vice President Kashim Shettima to visit the state and for sending the Minister of State for Defence, Alhaji Bello Matawalle, to Kebbi.
The Governor also urged religious leaders to intensify prayers for the victims’ safe return and for lasting peace in the state. He said, “What is happening in this country shows that enemies are working against this government. We return to God and continue to pray for divine intervention.”
Describing Ajaero’s visit as a gesture of solidarity, Idris appreciated the NLC president for taking time from his schedule to support the state.
He said, “You left your schedules to visit us, and we appreciate it. We assure you that we will do everything humanly possible to rescue our daughters and return them safely to their homes.”
