KEBBI SCHOOLGIRLS’ ABDUCTION: DHQ INTERROGATES SOLDIERS OVER SUDDEN WITHDRAWAL
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Agency report
All military personnel assigned 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 undergoing interrogation at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja, HOTJIST reports.
A senior government official confirmed to one of our correspondents that the Defence Headquarters had launched an investigation into the sudden withdrawal of soldiers from the school shortly before the attack.
Terrorists invaded the school on November 17, killing the Vice Principal, Malam Hassan Makuku, and abducting 26 students. Two later escaped, leaving 24 still in captivity.
The incident triggered outrage, prompting Governor Nasir Idris to demand a probe into the troop withdrawal.
After a meeting with the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, the governor disclosed that the state had earlier received intelligence indicating that the school was at risk of attack.
He said security operatives were deployed accordingly and questioned the circumstances surrounding their withdrawal.
“We need to know why they left. We had intelligence; we provided security, so what happened?” the governor asked.
The District Head of Maga, Muhammad Dantani, also confirmed that the military personnel left around 1am.
He said, “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 the school around 1am, just shortly before the attack began. We still don’t know who gave the order or why they withdrew.
“When the bandits arrived, the police officers said they took cover because the attackers were far too numerous and opening fire would have meant certain death. The number of bandits and their level of firepower were overwhelming.
“With the army absent, the police felt engaging the bandits would be suicidal. While we understand their safety concerns, the lack of resistance allowed the bandits to operate from around 1.30am until 3.30am without opposition.”
The abducted schoolgirls regained their freedom on Tuesday after the Federal Government negotiated their release.
The Kebbi State Government later announced that medical examinations confirmed none of the girls were sexually abused.
A senior government official disclosed that the state is awaiting the outcome of the military investigation.
“The military personnel who were stationed at the school have been summoned to Abuja for interrogation. They were summoned by the Defence Headquarters on Monday. We are following the case,” he said, adding that the soldiers were from the Army Barracks in Zuru.
A credible security source corroborated the development, saying, “I don’t have all the details, but I learnt on Monday from colleagues in the army that the soldiers have reported to the headquarters. All the security heads are happy with what happened in Kebbi and Niger. Neither the soldiers nor the police didn’t do well. But the investigation is ongoing.”
A top military official also confirmed that an internal probe was underway. “The military hierarchy is investigating the matter, and everyone attached to the school will be asked one or two questions to determine what went wrong. Anyone found culpable will definitely be brought to book,” he said.
Another military source noted that summoning the troops “is not unlikely,” stressing that the matter is still under investigation.
Efforts to get comments from the Director, Defence Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Michael Onoja, were unsuccessful, as his phone was unreachable.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ahmed Idris, said he could not confirm the summon.
“The investigation is being handled by the Defence Headquarters, so we don’t know anything about it. However, we want to know the outcome, and we expect the military to take necessary action,” he said.
Sources also revealed that an attempted military rescue failed, prompting negotiations.
Meanwhile, a senior source said the girls were released at the border between Gusau and Kebbi.
“The security agencies used tactics to get them out of captivity. They engaged the bandits in communication and other professional methods. They were able to convince the bandits to release the girls,” he said.
When asked if “communication” meant negotiation, the source responded, “Yes, there was negotiation.”
A viral video also showed a bandit leader telling 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.”
Meanwhile, parents of the rescued girls vowed to send their children back to school. Mallam Ibrahim Naibi said, “My children will go to school. It is a promise I made to them, and by God’s will, I will keep it.”
Another parent, Abubakar Jibrin, insisted that educating their daughters remained a priority. “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,” he said.
Alhaji Sani Jimri added, “If we educate our children, our tomorrow is secured. We are fully ready to give them the support they need to get proper education.”
A parent identified as Mallam Abubakar said the silence during his son’s captivity was agonising. “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.
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