All military personnel attached to the Government Girls’ Comprehensive Senior Secondary School, Maga, in the Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State where 26 schoolgirls were abducted are currently facing interrogation at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja.
A senior government official confirmed that the Defence Headquarters had begun investigating the sudden withdrawal of military personnel from the school shortly before the abduction.
Terrorists stormed the school on November 17, killing the Vice Principal, Malam Hassan Makuku, before abducting the 26 students. Two of the girls later escaped, leaving 24 still in captivity.
The abduction sparked outrage, prompting Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris to call for a probe into the military’s withdrawal. During a closed-door meeting with the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, the governor questioned why deployed security personnel were removed despite prior intelligence indicating the school could be targeted.
The District Head of Maga, Muhammad Dantani, stated that the military personnel left the school premises around 1 a.m. “Around midnight, I called to confirm whether the soldiers were still at their post and was told they were. But unknown to us, they left around 1 a.m., shortly before the attack began. We still don’t know who gave the order or why they withdrew,” he said.
He explained that police officers at the school felt engaging the attackers would have been suicidal due to the overwhelming number of bandits and their firepower. With the army absent, the bandits operated from around 1:30 a.m. until 3:30 a.m. unopposed.
The schoolgirls were released on Tuesday following negotiations between the Federal Government and the terrorists. Medical examinations confirmed that the girls were not sexually abused while in captivity.
The senior government official said the military personnel stationed at the school have been summoned to Abuja for questioning regarding who ordered their withdrawal before the attack. The troops reportedly came from the Army Barracks in Zuru.
A security source confirmed that the personnel have reported to the Defence Headquarters. “The military hierarchy is investigating the matter, and everyone attached to the school will be asked questions to determine what went wrong. Anyone found culpable will be brought to book,” the source said.
Attempts to reach the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja, were unsuccessful, while the Chief Press Secretary to the Kebbi State Governor, Ahmed Idris, said the investigation is being handled by the Defence Headquarters.
Sources revealed that the military attempted a rescue operation, which failed, necessitating negotiations with the abductors. The girls were released at the border between Gusau (Zamfara State) and Kebbi State after being held in a forest. Security operatives monitored the location, deployed heavy personnel and a helicopter, and engaged the bandits through communication, eventually securing the girls’ release without injury.
In a viral video, a bandit leader told the girls, “You have seen how the government failed to rescue you. Your release was secured through peaceful negotiations. Our leaders were contacted, and that is how you gained your freedom.”
Despite the trauma, parents of the rescued schoolgirls have vowed to continue sending their children to school.
Abubakar Jibrin added, “In this community, we are determined to ensure our children get proper education before talking of marriage. We won’t be discouraged in any way. By God’s grace, this issue of kidnapping will not happen again.”
Abubakar Jibrin added, “In this community, we are determined to ensure our children get proper education before talking of marriage. We won’t be discouraged in any way. By God’s grace, this issue of kidnapping will not happen again.”
Alhaji Sani Jimri emphasized the importance of education for the community’s future, stating, “If we educate our children, our tomorrow is secured. We are fully ready to give them the support they need to get proper education.”
Another father, Mallam Abubakar, recounted the harrowing experience while his son was in captivity. “We didn’t hear their voices. We didn’t know if they had eaten or if they were sick. The silence was torture,” he said.