Kebbi gov questions military withdrawal before schoolgirls’ abduction

Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris has sought clarification from military authorities regarding the withdrawal of soldiers from Government Girls’ Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, shortly before dozens of students were abducted in the Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area.
He made the demand on Thursday while receiving Nigeria Labour Congress President Joe Ajaero, who paid a solidarity visit to the state.
The governor said he was “deeply troubled” that security personnel pulled out of the school despite prior intelligence alerts provided by the state government.
According to the governor, soldiers reportedly left the school around 3am while the attackers struck less than 45 minutes later.
“We provided intelligence reports. We alerted them. So, who gave the order for troops to withdraw at that critical hour?” Idris queried, calling for a full military investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The governor further pointed out that the troop withdrawal contradicted earlier assurances of strengthened security for schools in vulnerable border communities often targeted by bandits.
Ajaero expressed solidarity with the state and with the families of the abducted students, calling on federal security agencies to secure the girls’ safe return.
The abduction, which has provoked widespread outrage, is the latest in a string of attacks on schools in Nigeria’s North-West, despite repeated government promises to enhance protection for learning centres.