‎Kebbi to strengthen partnership with Military for safe return of abducted school girls

By El-Yakub Dabai, Birnin Kebbi

Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State has reaffirmed the readiness of the State Government to work closely with the military authorities to ensure the safe rescue of the abducted schoolgirls of Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School (GGCSS) Maga, Danko Wasagu Local Government Area.
‎The Governor made the remarks on Friday while receiving the Minister of State for Defence, Muhammad Bello Matawalle, who visited the Government House in Birnin-Kebbi on a courtesy call along with senior military officers.
‎Governor Idris expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for directing the Minister of State for Defence and top security officials to immediately relocate to Kebbi State to coordinate rescue operations, justifying his commitment for a secure nation.
‎The State Chief Executive said he remained optimistic on the ongoing efforts of rescuing the girls, citing the Minister’s impressive track record in handling security challenges during his tenure as Governor of Zamfara State.

He expressed confidence that the Minister would discharge his mandate effectively toward rescuing the abducted students.
‎Briefing the Minister on the incident, Governor Idris further revealed that soldiers stationed at the school withdrew around 3:00 a.m., and the abduction occurred shortly afterward, at about 3:45 a.m, describing the development as troubling especially as the State Government had just held security meeting in which additional deployment as well as strengthened collaboration with security agencies were agreed upon.
‎He therefore called for a thorough military investigation to ascertain who authorised the withdrawal of troops from the school, stressing the need to prevent a recurrence of such lapses in the future.
‎Earlier, in his remarks, the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Muhammad Matawalle, informed the Governor that President Tinubu had directed him, alongside the Theatre Commander of “Operation Fansan Yamma”, Brigadier General Idris Warra and top military commanders to relocate to Kebbi State for the rescue mission.
‎The Minister assured that significant progress was expected soon, noting the extensive deployment of security personnel to strategic locations across Kebbi, Zamfara and Niger States to block possible escape routes to accelerate the rescue operation.
‎Matawalle also appealed for full cooperation from communities and the Kebbi State Government to ensure a well-coordinated and successful operation aimed at securing the safe return of the schoolgirls.