Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris has called on military authorities to explain why troops were withdrawn from Government Girls’ Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, just minutes before students and staff were abducted.

The governor expressed concern that security personnel left the school despite prior intelligence alerts provided by the state government. He spoke while receiving Nigeria Labour Congress President Joe Ajaero, who visited the state to show solidarity.

According to Idris, soldiers reportedly left the school around 3:00 a.m., and the abduction occurred less than 45 minutes later.

“As a responsive government, when we received intelligence of a possible attack, we held a security meeting. The agencies assured us that personnel would be deployed to the school. The military was deployed but withdrew by 3 a.m., and by 3:45 a.m., the incident happened,” he said.

The governor said the state has demanded a thorough investigation into who authorised the troop withdrawal and how it was carried out at such a critical time.

“This action contradicts earlier assurances of enhanced protection for schools in vulnerable border communities,” Idris added.

He assured that both the state and federal governments are working relentlessly to ensure the safe return of the abducted students.

“Our duty as leaders is to ensure our daughters return home safely, and we are doing everything possible to achieve that,” the governor said.