Gov. Idris demands probe of military withdrawal before Maga school girls’ abduction

By Ibrahim Bello

Gov. Nasir Idris of Kebbi on Friday spoke on how bandits attacked Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, and abducted 24 female students about 15 minutes after the military personnel withdrew from the school.

Idris revealed this on n Friday in Birnin Kebbi while receiving the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero, who paid him a sympathy visit over the incident.

He said the military personnel were deployed to the school when government received intelligence reports on a planned attack and immediately convened a security meeting.

“ 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,” he said.

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 Government 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.

Idris described the NLC President’s visit as historic, saying it demonstrated solidarity in a time of distress.

“ You left your schedules to visit us, and we appreciate it.

” We assure you that we will do everything humanly possible to rescue our daughters and return them safely to their homes,” the governor said.

Earlier, Ajaero, said the incident was worrisome and occurred at a time the state was recording significant progress in service delivery and development under Gov. Idris.

He said the NLC believed the abduction was “more than a mere coincidence”, adding that any attempt to derail the state’s developmental strides would not succeed.

“ This incident came at a time when the state is witnessing good service delivery and development under the leadership of Gov. Idris.

” Any attempt to stop the tide of progress will never succeed.

“ We are ready to place the state side-by-side with others in terms of development.

” This is a distraction, but we urge you to stand firm. We sympathise with you and we are with you,” he said.

Ajaero added that the labour union would review its policies to support efforts aimed at securing schools and borders across the country.

“ We will go back to the drawing board to make our policy statement until we have clear pathways on how to secure our schools and borders. Security issues should not be politicised.

“ We feel your pain. We will not allow this matter to be localised. It is our hope that a lasting solution will be found.

” There is always a turning point. We are in pain, but we will deal with this in unison,” the president said.

(NAN)