Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State has questioned the sudden withdrawal of military personnel from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, shortly before bandits abducted dozens of students.
Idris raised the alarm on Friday in Birnin Kebbi during a sympathy visit from the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, following Monday’s attack.
The governor said the development was particularly troubling because the state government had earlier received intelligence warning of a possible attack and immediately convened an emergency security meeting.
“As a responsive government, when we received intelligence on a possible attack, we summoned a security meeting,” he 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 am and by 3:45 am, the incident happened.”
Idris said the state has demanded a thorough investigation into the circumstances leading to 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 stated.
The governor added that both the state and federal governments were working tirelessly 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 and for ensuring that the Minister of State for Defence, Alhaji Bello Matawalle, has relocated to Kebbi,” he said.
Idris said clerics had been instructed to intensify prayers for the safe return of the victims and for lasting peace in 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 added.
He described the NLC president’s visit as historic and a demonstration of solidarity in a period of distress.
Earlier, NLC President Joe Ajaero condemned the attack, describing it as suspicious and worrisome.
He said the incident occurred at a time Kebbi State was making significant progress in development under Governor Idris.
“The abduction is more than a mere coincidence,” Ajaero said.
“Any attempt to stop the tide of progress will never succeed. This is a distraction, but we urge you to stand firm. We sympathise with you and we are with you.”
Twenty-five schoolgirls were abducted during the attack, which also claimed the life of the vice principal.
However, the state government said two of the abducted girls had managed to escape.
