Jul 9, 2026

Eight Months Later: No Answers on Who Ordered Military Exit Before Kebbi Girls Abduction

By Afolabi Olaiya Idowu in news

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ABUJA, Nigeria — Eight months after armed bandits stormed the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State, killing the vice principal and abducting 25 students, critical questions about a suspicious military withdrawal remain unanswered by the Tinubu administration and military authorities.

The November 17, 2025, attack in Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area has become one of the most controversial security lapses of the current administration.

According to reports, troops deployed to the school after intelligence warnings suddenly withdrew around 3:00 a.m., just 45 minutes before the terrorists struck.

Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris publicly questioned the withdrawal, noting that security agencies had assured protection during an emergency meeting.

Eyewitnesses confirmed soldiers interacted with staff and students before abruptly leaving their posts.

Defence Minister Bello Matawalle later stated that the military high command did not authorize the pullout and promised a thorough investigation. Affected soldiers were recalled to Abuja for questioning.

Despite these assurances and the eventual rescue of the girls (with most released by late November 2025), no public findings, court-martial, or disciplinary actions have been announced.

The continued silence has drawn sharp criticism from stakeholders who argue it undermines trust in Nigeria’s security architecture and the Safe Schools Initiative.

Security experts emphasize that standard military protocol requires explicit orders for withdrawing from a high-risk defensive position.

The absence of accountability raises troubling concerns about command failures, possible internal complicity, or systemic lapses that continue to endanger students in vulnerable regions.

Families of the victims, though relieved by the girls’ eventual return, continue to grapple with trauma from the ordeal that claimed the life of Vice Principal Malam Hassan Yakubu Makuku.

The incident highlighted the persistent threat of banditry and abduction in northwestern Nigeria, where schools remain soft targets despite repeated government promises of improved security.

As public frustration mounts over unaddressed security failures, analysts and regional leaders are urging the federal government to break its silence.

Transparency in the investigation, they say, is essential not only for justice but to prevent similar tragedies and restore confidence in Nigeria’s ability to protect its most vulnerable citizens.

This unresolved case adds to broader concerns about governance and security under the Tinubu administration, fueling debates ahead of future electoral cycles.

For the people of Kebbi and parents nationwide, the demand is simple yet urgent: full accountability for the mysterious troop withdrawal that left innocent schoolgirls exposed to terror.