Kebbi State Governor, Dr. Nasir Idris, has raised serious concerns over the withdrawal of military personnel just 45 minutes before bandits attacked Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School, Maga, in Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area and abducted 25 schoolgirls.
Speaking while receiving a delegation from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) at the Government House in Birnin Kebbi, the governor said the timing of the withdrawal had prompted urgent questions.
“We had convened a security council meeting before the incident, but military men were withdrawn 45 minutes before the attack, raising questions about who ordered the withdrawal,” Idris stated.
He assured the delegation that both the state and federal governments were doing everything possible to secure the release of the abducted students. He added that a formal investigation had been launched to determine who issued the directive for the troops to leave their post.
Governor Idris also noted that several high-level delegations had visited since the abduction, including Vice President Kashim Shettima, the Progressive Governors’ Forum led by its chairman, Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, and other stakeholders who came to offer support and prayers for the safe return of the girls.
Reiterating his concerns, the governor said, “We have already asked the authorities to investigate and find out who ordered the men to withdraw. The state and federal governments are doing everything humanly possible to ensure the safe rescue of the schoolgirls.”
NLC President, Joe Ajaero, who led the visiting delegation, condemned the abduction as a “calculated attempt and distraction.” He expressed solidarity with the people of Kebbi State, describing the incident as a painful blow that must not be politicised.
“We stand in solidarity. We share the pain and are mourning with you in this difficult moment,” Ajaero said. He urged security agencies to adopt a more proactive posture and emphasised that security challenges should be addressed without political interference.
According to him, “Security issues should not be politicised. Emphasis must be placed on prevention and proactive response to stop such incidents from recurring.”
