“Who Ordered You to Leave 45 Minutes Before Attack?” – Kebbi Gov Questions Army
- Gov Nasir Idris has questioned the withdrawal of military personnel shortly before bandits abducted schoolgirls from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga
- The Kebbi government had received intelligence on a planned attack and later demanded an investigation into who authorised the military pullout
- NLC President Joe Ajaero visited the state and described the abduction as a deliberate attempt to derail Kebbi’s developmental progress
Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi state has raised concerns over the withdrawal of military personnel from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, shortly before armed men stormed the facility and abducted 36 students.
He expressed his displeasure during a meeting in Birnin Kebbi on Friday while receiving the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, who visited to commiserate with the state.
Source: Facebook
The governor said the government had received intelligence about a planned attack and convened a meeting of security agencies to avert the threat, Punch reported.
Questions over security withdrawal
Idris recalled that assurances were given that adequate personnel would be deployed to secure the school. According to him, troops were stationed at the location but left their duty post shortly after midnight.
He noted:
“The military was deployed, but they later withdrew by 3 am and by 3:45 am then the incident happened.”
He added that the state has demanded clarity over who authorised the withdrawal and why it occurred at a time when intelligence suggested possible danger.
“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.
Efforts to rescue the students underway
The governor assured residents that both the state and federal governments are working around the clock to secure the safe return of the abducted girls.
Source: Facebook
He said President Bola Tinubu had shown commitment by directing Vice President Kashim Shettima to visit the state, while Minister of State for Defence Bello Matawalle had relocated to Kebbi to coordinate efforts.
“Our duty as leaders is to ensure that our daughters return home safely, and we are doing everything possible to achieve that,” he stated.
Idris said religious leaders had also been instructed to intensify prayers for the victims and the peace of the state. He remarked that worsening attacks across the country suggested that “enemies are working against this government” and urged residents to remain prayerful.
NLC condemns attack on Kebbi school
Ajaero described the abduction as deeply troubling, especially at a time Kebbi was recording notable improvements in governance under Idris.
He said the labour movement believed the incident was “more than a mere coincidence” and warned that any attempt to disrupt the state’s progress would fail.
“This is a distraction, but we urge you to stand firm. We sympathise with you and we are with you,” Ajaero said.
He added that the NLC would review its internal policies to support national efforts aimed at strengthening school and border security.
“We will go back to the drawing board to make our policy statement until we have clear pathways on how to secure our schools and borders,” he said.
Bandits ambush vigilantes, kill 16 officers
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that at least 16 vigilante members had been reported dead and more than 40 residents abducted following a series of coordinated attacks by bandits across several communities in Mashegu Local Government Area of Niger state.
The incidents occurred between Sunday, November 9 and Thursday, November 13 and have forced many villagers to flee their homes.
Source: Legit.ng
