Identify who ordered soldiers’ withdrawal before schoolgirls’ abduction, Kebbi Gov tells military

Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State has expressed strong concern over the withdrawal of military personnel from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, shortly before students were abducted by bandits.

Speaking in Birnin Kebbi on Friday while hosting the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, who visited to offer sympathy over the incident, Idris described the development as troubling.

He noted that the situation was especially disheartening because the government had earlier received intelligence about a possible attack and promptly convened a security meeting.

“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 a.m., and by 3:45 a.m., then the incident happened,” he added.

The governor explained that the state had called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances behind the withdrawal.

“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 relentlessly to secure the safe return of the abducted girls.

“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 added.

‘Enemies Against Nigeria’

He said religious leaders had also been instructed to intensify prayers for the victims’ safe return and for peace across the state.

“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,” he said.

Idris described the NLC president’s visit as historic, noting that it demonstrated 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,” the governor said.

‘More Than Mere Coincidence’

Earlier, Ajaero said the development was alarming, particularly given the significant progress the state had been making under Governor Idris in service delivery and development.

He stated that the NLC believed the abduction was “more than a mere coincidence”, emphasising that efforts to disrupt the state’s progress would fail.

”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,” he told the governor.

Twenty-five girls were abducted during the attack on the school on Monday, during which the vice principal was killed.

However, the state government reported that two of the abducted students managed to escape.