By Our Reporter 

Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State has questioned the withdrawal of military personnel from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, less than an hour before bandits abducted several students in the early hours of Monday.

The governor raised the concern on Friday in Birnin Kebbi while receiving the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, who visited the state to express solidarity over the incident.

Idris described the development as troubling, noting that the state government had earlier received intelligence reports of an imminent 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,” he said.

He added that although military operatives were deployed, they withdrew at about 3am. “By 3:45am, the incident happened,” the governor lamented.

He said the state had demanded a thorough 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.

The governor assured residents that both the state and Federal Government were working around the clock to ensure the safe return of the abducted girls.

He thanked President Bola Tinubu for directing Vice President Kashim Shettima to visit the state and for ensuring that the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, relocated to Kebbi to coordinate the response.

Idris said clerics had also been asked to intensify prayers for the safe return of the victims and for lasting 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 added.

He described the NLC President’s visit as historic, saying it demonstrated solidarity during a difficult period.

“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,” he said.

In his remarks, Joe Ajaero said the abduction was “more than a mere coincidence,” especially as it came at a time when the state was witnessing significant improvements in service delivery and development under Governor Idris.

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

He added that the labour union would review its policies to help strengthen security in schools and border communities nationwide.

“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, and we will not allow this matter to be localised,” he said.

Ajaero expressed optimism that a lasting solution would emerge, stressing that “there is always a turning point.”