Tension is rising across Kebbi State after the state governor, Nasir Idris accused military personnel of abandoning their duty post less than an hour before armed men invaded Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, and kidnapped 25 students.
The Governor, speaking with newsmen, said troops who were assigned to protect the school allegedly pulled out around 3:00 a.m., only for the attackers to strike at 3:45 a.m. He described the timing as “highly troubling” and suggested that the withdrawal may not have been accidental.
Idris said intelligence from the Department of State Services (DSS) had earlier warned of a possible targeted attack, prompting the state to hold a security meeting. “We acted on the alert, but what happened afterwards raises serious concerns”, he stated.
Following the abduction, the state government, in collaboration with federal authorities, has launched a massive search-and-rescue operation. A special investigative panel has also been set up to determine why the military left their position shortly before the attack.
President Bola Tinubu has directed the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, to relocate to Kebbi State and coordinate rescue operations on the ground. Vice-President Kashim Shettima has already visited the school community to reassure parents and residents.
The development has ignited widespread anger, with labour unions and civil society organizations demanding transparency and accountability from security agencies. Many residents fear that the incident exposes how vulnerable schools remain in the North-West, despite previous government commitments to improve security.
Security experts warn that the abduction adds to a growing pattern of coordinated attacks on rural schools, putting pressure on authorities to urgently address operational lapses and intelligence gaps.
