Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, has demanded an immediate investigation into the sudden withdrawal of military personnel from Government Girls’ Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, barely one hour before armed men stormed the school and abducted several students.
Idris raised the concern on Friday during a closed-door meeting with the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, who arrived in Kebbi on the directive of President Bola Tinubu to coordinate rescue operations.
The governor disclosed that the state government had earlier received intelligence indicating that the Maga school might be targeted.
Acting on that intelligence, security operatives were deployed to the area.
However, their unexplained withdrawal shortly before the bandits struck has triggered public outrage and raised fears of possible operational lapses—or even internal sabotage.
“We need to know why they left. We had intelligence, we provided security, so what happened?” the governor asked during the meeting, insisting that the Ministry of Defence must provide answers.
The abduction in Maga comes amid increasing attacks across northwestern Nigeria, where armed groups continue to exploit porous security structures, difficult terrain, and overstretched personnel to launch raids on rural communities and schools.
In Kebbi, previous attacks prompted the state government to invest heavily in security logistics.
Idris reiterated that his administration has supplied hundreds of operational vehicles and motorcycles to security agencies to enhance rapid response—investments that, he said, “make the latest lapse even more troubling.”
Matawalle, accompanied by senior military commanders, assured the governor and residents that the rescue mission is now being directed from Kebbi.
He pledged that every available resource would be deployed to secure the release of the abducted schoolgirls.
“We are on ground. We are fully committed. The safe return of these children is our top priority,” he said.
Meanwhile, as military operations intensify in the surrounding forest areas, communities remain on edge.
Parents and residents have continued to gather at the school, hoping for news of their children.
Idris appealed for calm and urged citizens to support the ongoing operations with prayers.
“We will not rest until every girl is safely reunited with her family,” he said.
The incident has reignited conversations about the need for stricter oversight of security deployments in vulnerable communities, particularly schools, which remain prime targets for armed gangs seeking ransom.
