Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris has questioned the withdrawal of military personnel from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, shortly before bandits abducted 25 students and killed the school’s vice principal.
Gatekeepers News reports that speaking on Friday in Birnin Kebbi during a condolence visit by Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President Joe Ajaero, the governor described the development as disturbing — especially since the government had received intelligence warnings and promptly convened a security meeting.
“As a responsive government, when we received intelligence on a possible attack, we summoned a security meeting,” Idris said.
“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 a.m., and by 3:45 a.m., the incident happened.”
The governor said the state had demanded a full investigation into why troops were pulled out at such a critical moment.
“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 said.
Idris added that both state and federal authorities were working around the clock to ensure the safe return of the abducted students.
“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,” he said.
‘Enemies Working Against Nigeria’
The governor also said clerics had been instructed to intensify prayers for the safe return of the girls, adding that the attacks showed that “enemies are working against this government.”
“We return to God and continue to pray for divine intervention,” he added.
Idris described the NLC president’s visit as historic, saying it demonstrated true solidarity at a difficult time.
“We assure you that we will do everything humanly possible to rescue our daughters and return them safely to their homes,” he said.
‘More Than a Mere Coincidence’ — NLC
Earlier, NLC President Joe Ajaero expressed concern over the attack, saying it occurred just as the state was recording significant developmental progress under Idris.
He suggested that the abduction appeared “more than a mere coincidence,” adding that attempts to derail the state’s growth would not succeed.
“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 told the governor.
The Kebbi State Government has confirmed that two of the abducted schoolgirls managed to escape.
