In a dramatic turn on the floor of the Nigerian Senate, Enyinnaya Abaribe — Minority Leader — has issued a scathing rebuke to the government and military authorities, demanding clear answers over an alleged withdrawal of troops shortly before the mass abduction of schoolgirls in Government Girls’ Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State. The senator’s intervention has amplified public outrage and intensified calls for accountability.
📌 What Happened — and What Is Being Questioned
On November 17, 2025, gunmen attacked Maga School in Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area, abducting 25 schoolgirls, an event that rattled national security nerves.
Shockingly, the assault reportedly occurred just 45 minutes after soldiers — who had been previously deployed — were withdrawn from the school. The soldiers reportedly left at about 3:00 a.m., while the attack happened around 3:45 a.m.
The State Governor, Nasir Idris, has publicly demanded to know who ordered the withdrawal — citing prior intelligence alerts about a possible attack.
In response, the Nigerian Army launched an internal investigation. Officials have stated that they will discipline any personnel found negligent or culpable — regardless of rank.
Senate Blows the Whistle: Abaribe’s Demand for Accountability
During a heated session, Senator Abaribe castigated what he described as a culture of excuses and deflection:
> “Somebody ordered troops out, and people were kidnapped. Till today, nobody in Nigeria knows what happened.”
He argued that this tragic event isn’t just a security failure — it's a failure of governance. According to him, the withdrawal wasn’t a mere operational adjustment. It was a critical decision that preceded mass kidnap and must be investigated thoroughly.
The Senate, echoing his sentiments, has called for:
A full-scale probe to determine who authorized the troop withdrawal.
Sanctions against any military officer found responsible.
Revision of laws to classify kidnapping as terrorism and toughen penalties for kidnappers.
Abaribe urged the presidency — led by Bola Ahmed Tinubu — not to treat the matter as yet another statistic, but to take a firm stand that sends a message: negligence from security agents will not be tolerated.
Why This Matters — Implications for National Security & Trust
⚠️ Erosion of Public Confidence
When troops — tasked with protecting vulnerable children — withdraw at a moment of need, it raises disturbing questions about either gross negligence or systemic sabotage. Communities in Kebbi and across the north are already reeling from repeated abductions. The near-miss doesn’t just cost lives — it eats away at citizens' trust in security structures.
🛑 Risk of Repeated Tragedies
Without clarity or accountability, such incidents may become recurring nightmares. The Senate’s demanded inquiry is more than symbolic — it’s a chance to break a dangerous cycle of inaction, impunity, and recurring terror.
🔄 Pressure for Policy Overhaul
These events underscore the urgent need to reform Nigeria’s security protocols, especially around vulnerable sites like schools, worship centres, and rural communities. The call to classify kidnapping as terrorism, and to intensify background checks and command accountability, speaks to the broader challenge of transforming security architecture.
What Needs to Happen — A Clear Path Forward
1. Transparent Disclosure: The military must publish a clear report naming who gave the order to withdraw troops — not just the fact that withdrawal happened.
2. Swift and Firm Sanctions: If negligence or misconduct is proven, the responsible officers must face consequences — demotion, court-martial, or criminal charges as applicable.
3. Community Assurance: Deploy robust security — not only reactive, but proactive — especially in vulnerable areas. Parents, students, and residents deserve concrete proof that children are protected.
4. Policy and Legal Reform: Parliament should expedite proposals to reclassify kidnapping as terrorism; tighten command accountability; and improve intelligence sharing between federal and state institutions.
5. Public Communication & Trust-Building: The government must engage communities transparently, provide updates, and rebuild faith in the security system.
Final Thought: More Than a Silent Report — An Accountability Test for Nigeria
The abduction in Kebbi is more than a tragic headline. It’s a test of Nigeria’s will to confront its security failures head-on. As Senator Abaribe rightly argued, in times of deceit — “telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act.”
If the government fails to act decisively — not with press statements but with concrete accountability — then the silence will speak louder than any bones of the fallen. And that silence will echo across every community that still trusts its soldiers to protect their children.
Let justice be done — and let it be seen to be done.
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