Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State has raised serious concerns over the withdrawal of military personnel from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, shortly before bandits stormed the school and abducted 24 female students.
Speaking in Birnin Kebbi while receiving the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, who paid him a sympathy visit, Idris revealed that the state government had earlier received intelligence reports of a planned attack. In response, a security meeting was convened, and military personnel were deployed to the school.
However, Idris disclosed that the soldiers withdrew around 3:00 a.m., and by 3:45 a.m., the bandits struck, abducting the students. “We provided intelligence reports. We alerted them. So, who gave the order for troops to withdraw?” Idris asked, demanding a full investigation into the incident P.M. News Daily Nigerian veritynewsonline.com Vanguard News.
The governor described the abduction as “unfortunate and avoidable,” stressing that the withdrawal of troops despite clear warnings raises troubling questions about coordination among security agencies.
Meanwhile, Vice President Kashim Shettima visited Kebbi to console families and assured that the federal government would deploy all necessary resources to rescue the abducted girls. He also pledged support for the family of the school’s vice principal, who reportedly died while defending the students Vanguard The Guardian Nigeria.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed urgent rescue operations and expressed sorrow that the abduction occurred despite intelligence alerts. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to securing the safe return of the children The Guardian Nigeria.
The incident has reignited national debate over Nigeria’s persistent insecurity, particularly attacks on schools, which have plagued northern states for over a decade.
