Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State has criticised the current military strategy for tackling insecurity, insisting that the approach is ineffective and must be urgently reviewed.
Idris made the remarks on Monday while hosting the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, at the Government House in Birnin Kebbi.
The governor reiterated his earlier demand for a full investigation into the withdrawal of security personnel from Government Comprehensive Girls Secondary School, Maga, shortly before bandits abducted 25 schoolgirls.
The vice principal and a watchman were also killed during the attack.
Expressing frustration, Idris questioned how a large number of armed attackers could operate freely.
“How can over 500 bandits be moving on bikes on our highways without being checked?” he asked.
“We have fulfilled our obligations to the security agencies, providing logistics and purchasing more than 100 vehicles, yet the current security architecture is not working.”
He added that had the state known the security presence would be withdrawn moments before the attack, the government would have opted to shut down the school instead.
Idris said he suspected “enemies” were working to destabilise both the state and the federal government, urging the National Assembly to take decisive action on the worsening insecurity.
“Yesterday it was Kebbi, today it is Niger and Kwara. Who knows which state is next? We must ensure this insecurity is tackled once and for all.”
Earlier, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas said he and a delegation from the House were in the state to commiserate with Kebbi residents over the abduction and killings.
He announced a donation of ₦30 million to the families of the slain vice principal and watchman.
Abbas also encouraged the governor to rename the school in honour of the late vice principal, whom he described as a hero.
“We are with you, and we will continue to work towards securing the girls,” he said.
