Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State has demanded explanations from military authorities over the withdrawal of troops from Government Girls’ Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, shortly before the abduction of students and staff.

While receiving the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, who led a solidarity visit to the state, the governor said he was deeply troubled that security personnel pulled out of the school despite prior intelligence alerts provided by the state government.

According to the governor, soldiers reportedly left the school around 3am while the attackers struck less than 45 minutes later.

“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.

“The military was deployed, but they later withdrew by 3 am, and by 3:45 am, the incident happened.”

Idris also said the state had demanded a thorough inquiry into the circumstances that led to the withdrawal of troops.

“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,” the governor said.

The governor also noted that the withdrawal contradicted earlier assurances of enhanced protection for schools in vulnerable border communities frequently targeted by bandits.

Idris said both the state and federal governments were working relentlessly to secure the release of the abducted schoolgirls.

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

“We thank President Bola Tinubu for directing Vice-President Kashim Shettima to visit us, and for ensuring that the minister of state for defence, Alhaji Bello Matawalle, has relocated to Kebbi.”

He said clerics had also been instructed 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,” he added.

“We return to God and continue to pray for divine intervention.”

Idris described Ajaero’s visit as significant, saying it showed solidarity during a difficult period for the state.

“You left your schedules to visit us, and we appreciate it,” the governor said.

“We assure you that we will do everything humanly possible to rescue our daughters and return them safely to their homes.”

Earlier, Ajaero said the incident was disturbing and occurred at a time when the state was recording notable gains in governance under Idris.

He said the labour movement believed the kidnapping was “more than a mere coincidence”, adding that any effort to disrupt the progress recorded by the state would not succeed.

“This incident came at a time when the state is witnessing good service delivery and development under the leadership of Gov. Idris,” he said.

“Any attempt to stop the tide of progress will never succeed. We are ready to place the state side-by-side with others in terms of development.

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

Ajaero said the NLC would review its policy direction to support efforts aimed at strengthening security in schools and communities across the country.

“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,” he said.

“Security issues should not be politicised. We feel your pain; we will not allow this matter to be localised. It is our hope that a lasting solution will be found.

“There is always a turning point; we are in pain, but we will deal with this in unison.”

Meanwhile, the military high command has reportedly launched a separate probe into how heavily armed soldiers deployed to protect students of Government Girls Secondary School, Maga, Kebbi State, reportedly abandoned their duty post before gunmen attacked the school, killed the vice principal, and abducted 22 girls.

They are a Staff Sergeant, two Sergeants, two Corporals, (names withheld), and two Private soldiers, according to security agencies.

Security agencies have begun a coordinated search operation for students and staff of St Mary’s Secondary School, a Catholic institution in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, who were abducted in the early hours of Friday.

Armed men were said to have invaded the school around 2:00 a.m., whisking away an unconfirmed number of students from their hostels. Initial reports indicate that several staff members may also have been taken.

In a statement on Friday, the spokesperson for the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the attack, saying police tactical units, soldiers and other security operatives had been deployed to the scene and were “combing the forests” in a bid to rescue the victims.

He said the Commissioner of Police, Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, had assured parents and residents of the Command’s commitment to safely recover the abducted students, urging the public to remain calm and support ongoing security operations.

Church officials in the state also confirmed the incident but said details were still being compiled. “Yes, it is true, but I am not in a position to give details. The church will issue an official statement later in the day,” a source told The Atlantic Bell.

The Head of Department, Disaster and Relief, Agwara Local Government, Ahmed Abdullahi Rofia, likewise confirmed the raid, noting that authorities were still trying to establish the exact number of abducted persons.

The attack comes amid rising concerns over the safety of schools in northern Nigeria. Only days ago, 25 students were kidnapped in Maga, Kebbi State, while more than 50 schools in Kwara State were shut on Thursday following a surge in bandit activities.

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday cancelled scheduled trips to South Africa and Angola to coordinate the Federal Government’s response to the worsening security situation.