Idris Demands Answers as Soldiers Leave Kebbi School 45 Minutes Before Mass Abduction
Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State has demanded urgent answers over the sudden withdrawal of military personnel from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, less than an hour before armed bandits invaded the school and abducted several students.
Speaking on Friday, the governor described the development as “deeply suspicious” and called for a full investigation into who authorised the withdrawal.
According to him, soldiers deployed to the school reportedly pulled out around 3:00 a.m., while the bandits arrived at approximately 3:45 a.m., overwhelming the community and taking away the students.
Idris explained that the state had earlier received credible intelligence warning of a likely attack on the school, prompting a security meeting where assurances were given that troops would be stationed to protect the area.
He said the withdrawal contradicts those assurances and raises serious concerns about a possible security lapse.
“This is unacceptable. We need to know who gave the order for the soldiers to leave at such a critical hour,” Idris said. “The timing raises questions, especially when we already had intelligence pointing to an imminent threat.”
The governor said both the state and federal governments are intensifying efforts to ensure the safe return of the abducted girls. He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for directing the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, to relocate to Kebbi State and personally coordinate search-and-rescue operations.
Meanwhile, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has visited the state and ordered troops under Operation Fasan Yamma to “go all out” in pursuit of the kidnappers. He emphasised the use of intelligence-led operations and instructed the military to maintain day-and-night pressure on the abductors until the students are rescued.
The incident has sparked widespread condemnation across the country. The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), civil society groups, and religious bodies have all criticized the attack and called for enhanced security around schools, especially in border communities vulnerable to bandit incursions.
This latest abduction is the second major school kidnapping reported in Nigeria within a week, heightening national anxiety over rising insecurity. Governor Idris assured residents that the government will strengthen school security and work tirelessly to prevent similar tragedies.
“We owe our children protection. We will not rest until every one of them is rescued and returned safely to their families,” he said.
