Kebbi Governor Demands Answers After Mysterious Military Withdrawal Before School Attack
The tragic abduction of 25 schoolgirls from Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School, Maga, in the Danko-Wasagu area of Kebbi State, has taken a troubling turn as Governor Nasir Idris openly questioned the circumstances surrounding a sudden military withdrawal shortly before the attack. The governor, visibly disturbed by the sequence of events, revealed that soldiers assigned to protect the region were pulled out just 45 minutes before armed bandits launched their assault — a detail that has shaken public confidence in Nigeria’s security structures.
Speaking during a sympathy visit from leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Governor Idris stated that the suspicious timing of the withdrawal raises serious concerns that must be addressed immediately. Before the attack, he noted, a security council meeting had already been convened by the state government in response to earlier intelligence signals. Yet, despite this proactive step, the protective military unit was inexplicably removed.
“We had convened a security council meeting before the incident, but military men were withdrawn 45 minutes before the attack, raising questions about who ordered the withdrawal,” the governor told delegates at the Government House in Birnin Kebbi.
This revelation has not only intensified the urgency of the rescue operations but has also cast a shadow of doubt on the integrity of the security chain of command. The governor affirmed that both the state and federal governments have launched an investigation to identify who issued the directive that left the school vulnerable.
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“We have already asked the authorities to investigate and find out who ordered the men to withdraw. The government at both levels is doing everything humanly possible to secure these schoolgirls from the hands of bandits,” Idris added.
The abduction has drawn national attention, with several high-profile visits to Kebbi State, including Vice President Kashim Shettima and members of the Progressive Governors Forum. The NLC and NUT delegation, led by NLC President Joe Ajaero, expressed solidarity with the state and condemned the attack as a deliberate and calculated act.
Ajaero described the incident as an intentional attempt to destabilize progress in Kebbi State. He urged security agencies to prioritize preventive strategies rather than reactive measures, stating that security matters should never be politicized or treated with laxity.
“We view it as a calculated attempt and distraction. We stand in solidarity, sharing the pain of this moment. Security issues should not be politicized — prevention must be the focus,” Ajaero emphasized.
The public, however, has grown increasingly vocal and skeptical. Many Nigerians have expressed frustration over what appears to be a recurring pattern — military withdrawals or suspicious lapses in security just before major attacks. Critics allege political sabotage, insider collusion, or deliberate weakening of security operations.
Some commentators argue that the governor’s question, while valid, should not be directed at the public but at the federal command structure responsible for military deployment. Others point to the alarming trend of “repentant terrorists” being absorbed into security agencies, suggesting that infiltration may be contributing to compromised operations.
Across online discussions, citizens demand accountability, transparency, and immediate restructuring of the security command chain. The brutal kidnapping of schoolchildren — a haunting reminder of Chibok, Dapchi, Kankara, and others — continues to reveal deep fractures in Nigeria’s security system, leaving communities vulnerable and governance credibility strained.
As investigations unfold, the people of Kebbi — and the nation at large — await clear answers to a simple but critical question:
Who ordered the withdrawal that opened the door for yet another avoidable tragedy?