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The removal of military soldiers from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, just before armed men raided the school and kidnapped 36 pupils has alarmed Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris.

At a meeting in Birnin Kebbi on Friday, he voiced his disapproval to Joe Ajaero, the president of the Nigeria Labour Congress, who was there to offer condolences to the state.

According to Punch, the governor stated that in order to prevent the threat, the administration had called a meeting of security services after receiving information of a planned attack.

Idris recalled receiving guarantees that sufficient staff would be sent to secure the school. He claimed that although troops were stationed there, they departed their duty position just after midnight.

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

The state has asked clarification on who approved the pullout and why it happened at a time when intelligence pointed to potential risk, he continued.

“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 state and federal agencies are working nonstop to ensure the safe return of the kidnapped girls, the governor reassured the populace.

He said that Minister of State for Defense Bello Matawalle had moved to Kebbi to coordinate efforts, and President Bola Tinubu had demonstrated his commitment by ordering Vice President Kashim Shettima to visit the state.

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

According to Idris, religious authorities have also been told to step up their prayers for the victims and the state’s peace. Worsening attacks nationwide, he said, revealed that “enemies are working against this government,” and he asked citizens to continue praying.

The kidnapping, according to Ajaero, was extremely concerning, particularly at a time when Kebbi was noting significant advancements in governance under Idris.

He stated that the labor movement thought the episode was “more than a mere coincidence” and cautioned that any attempt to impede the state’s advancement would be futile.

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

In order to support national initiatives aimed at bolstering border and school security, he continued, the NLC would reassess its internal procedures.

“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.

Many locals were compelled to leave their houses as a result of the incidents, which took place between Sunday, November 9 and Thursday, November 13.

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