Kebbi Gov Questions Military Withdrawal Before Girls’ Kidnapping

Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris has questioned the withdrawal of military personnel from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, noting that it occurred shortly before the students’ abduction by bandits.

Sharing his concerns on Friday in Birnin Kebbi while receiving the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, who paid him a sympathy visit over the incident, the governor said the state has demanded a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the withdrawal.

He stated that the government had received intelligence reports on a planned attack and immediately convened a security meeting.

The governor said security agencies assured him that personnel would be mobilised and deployed to the school, but they later withdrew shortly before the incident occurred.

He said, “As a responsive government, when we received intelligence on a possible attack, we summoned a security meeting.

“The security agencies assured us that all was well and that personnel would be mobilised to the school.

“ The military was deployed, but they later withdrew by 3 a.m., and by 3:45 am, then the incident happened.”

The governor said the state had demanded a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the withdrawal.

“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.

Idris said both the state and Federal governments were working tirelessly to ensure the safe return of the abducted girls.

“Our duty as leaders is to ensure that our daughters return home safely, and we are doing everything possible to achieve that.

“We thank President Bola Tinubu for directing Vice-President Kashim Shettima to visit us, and for ensuring that the Minister of State for Defence, Alhaji Bello Matawalle, has relocated to Kebbi,” he added.

The governor said clerics had also been directed to intensify prayers for the safe return of the victims and for peace in the state.

“What is happening in this country shows that enemies are working against this government. We return to God and continue to pray for divine intervention,” he said.