Kebbi State governor Dr Nasir Idris has raised serious concerns about the withdrawal of military personnel less than an hour before armed bandits stormed Government Girls Comprehensive Senior Secondary School in Maga, Danko Wasagu, and abducted twenty five students.
He made the remark while receiving leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Nigeria Union of Teachers during their sympathy visit to Government House, Birnin Kebbi. Idris explained that a security council meeting had been held shortly before the attack, yet soldiers stationed in the area were pulled out forty five minutes before the bandits arrived, prompting questions about who authorised the move.
The governor assured the delegation that both state and federal authorities were working to rescue the girls. He confirmed that a formal investigation had begun to identify the person or institution responsible for the withdrawal order. Idris noted that the state had received several high level sympathisers, including Vice President Kashim Shettima and members of the Progressive Governors Forum led by Imo State governor Hope Uzodinma. He added that the visit from the NLC and NUT leadership, headed by NLC president Joe Ajaero, was deeply appreciated.
Ajaero condemned the abduction, calling it a deliberate act intended to cause instability. He said the development was painful for Nigerians and especially distressing for workers and educators who viewed Kebbi as a state with strong potential for progress.
Ajaero urged security agencies to avoid reactive approaches and to develop more preventive strategies. He stressed that security should never be turned into a political tool and that the focus must remain on safeguarding citizens rather than assigning blame.
