The Defence headquarters (DHQ) in Abuja has questioned all soldiers deployed to the Government Girls’ Comprehensive Senior Secondary School, Maga, in Danko/Wasagu LGA of Kebbi State, on the night terrorists abducted 26 schoolgirls.
A military source disclosed that the soldiers were summoned as part of efforts to determine who ordered their withdrawal from the school shortly before the November 17 attack.
“They have been moved to Abuja. It is part of the investigation to unearth who ordered their withdrawal,” the source said.
The terrorists had stormed the school around 1:30 a.m., killed the vice-principal, Malam Hassan Makuku, and abducted 26 students — although two later escaped.
The District Head of Maga, Muhammad Dantani, narrated how the military abruptly abandoned their post.
“Around midnight, I called to confirm whether the soldiers were still at their post and was told they were,” he said.
“But unknown to us, they left the school around 1 a.m., just shortly before the attack began. We still don’t know who gave the order or why they withdrew.”
He added that when the bandits arrived, the police officers on the ground refused to engage them because the attackers were “far too numerous” and heavily armed.
“The number of bandits and their level of firepower were overwhelming. With the army absent, the police felt engaging them would be suicidal,” he said.
According to him, the bandits operated freely from 1:30 a.m. to 3:30 a.m. without resistance.
The Kebbi government has since announced that all 24 surviving abducted students have regained freedom, crediting Governor Nasir Idris with playing a central role in securing their release.
The incident has intensified calls for a full investigation, especially after it emerged that the terrorists struck moments after the soldiers left. Governor Idris and many Nigerians have demanded answers, noting that the event has revived painful memories of the Chibok school abductions.
Meanwhile, Minister of Defence Mohammed Badaru Abubakar has assured Nigerians that the armed forces are “closing in on overcoming banditry” despite the recent resurgence of school kidnappings.