Shocking revelation: Military abandons school one hour before bandits kidnap 25 students

By Muhammad Lawal

In a startling disclosure, Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris has called for an urgent investigation into why military personnel stationed at Government Girls’ Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, withdrew from their post just one hour before bandits stormed the school and abducted 25 girls.

Governor Idris made the appeal while receiving the State Minister for Defense, Alhaji Bello Matawalle, at Government House, Birnin Kebbi, on Friday.

Matawalle had arrived in the state on directives from President Bola Tinubu to oversee and coordinate the rescue of the abducted students.

“Why did the military personnel stationed at the college withdraw from their duty post by 3:00 a.m., when intelligence clearly indicated an imminent attack, and the bandits struck at 4:00 a.m.?” Governor Idris asked.

The governor said the state government had received prior intelligence warning of a potential attack on the school, prompting an emergency security meeting that led to the deployment of security personnel at the institution.

“This withdrawal at such a critical time is deeply troubling. I am appealing to the Minister of Defense to thoroughly investigate the circumstances that led to this lapse,” Idris added.

Highlighting the state’s efforts to bolster security, the governor noted that his administration had distributed 100 Hilux vehicles and 1,000 motorcycles to various security agencies to support crime-fighting operations across Kebbi.

He urged citizens to intensify prayers for the safe return of the abducted girls and for enduring peace in the state and the nation.

Matawalle, speaking alongside the Theater Commander of Operation Fansan Yamma, Maj.-Gen. Idris Warrah, said their presence in Kebbi was mandated by the Commander-in-Chief to ensure a coordinated rescue operation.

“We are here to work with all security agencies and the community to secure the safe return of the girls. We are not here to sit idly or sleep. Every resource and strategy will be deployed to accomplish this mission,” he said.