Kebbi gov demands probe into troop withdrawal before schoolgirls’ abduction

Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris has demanded a full military investigation into the circumstances surrounding the withdrawal of troops from the Government Girls’ Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, just minutes before dozens of students were abducted.

The governor raised the alarm on Thursday while receiving the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, who was visiting the state in solidarity over the attack in the Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area.

Idris stated that he is “deeply troubled” by the decision to remove security personnel, especially given that the state government had provided prior intelligence alerts indicating a likely assault.

According to the governor, soldiers reportedly left the school around 3:00 a.m., 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, noting that the withdrawal directly contradicted earlier assurances of enhanced protection for schools in vulnerable border communities.

The governor has formally asked the military authorities to investigate and “identify who gave that order.”

The abduction, which has drawn nationwide outrage, is the latest in a series of attacks targeting schools in Nigeria’s North-West, despite repeated government pledges to strengthen security. President Bola Tinubu has since directed the Minister of State for Defence, Alhaji Bello Matawalle, to relocate to Kebbi State to monitor efforts to secure the release of the abducted girls.

NLC President Joe Ajaero expressed solidarity with the state and the affected families, urging federal security agencies to ensure the girls’ safe rescue.

READ MORE FROM: NIGERIAN TRIBUNE