Who abandoned our children to Kebbi gunmen?

In the dead of night, gunmen stormed the dormitories of Government Girls’ Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State. Twenty-five girls were abducted, the vice-principal was killed, and the soldiers meant to protect them were reportedly withdrawn just hours before the attack. This is not just a security lapse; it is a national scandal that exposes systemic weaknesses in Nigeria’s protection of its citizens. Who authorised the withdrawal? Why was no alternative security put in place? These are questions the government must answer publicly and urgently. Silence is not an option when lives hang in the balance.

Adding a troubling layer to this tragedy, the Kebbi State governor himself reportedly stated that he did not know who gave the order for the troop withdrawal. As the chief security officer of the state, he is expected to oversee and coordinate all security operations. Yet, he was kept in the dark, underscoring the opacity and dysfunction within the command structure.

If the governor, responsible for the safety of the state’s citizens, is unaware of critical operational decisions, how can the public be assured that accountability exists anywhere in the system? This admission raises serious questions about the chain of command and decision-making processes, and it highlights the urgent need for reforms that make security orders transparent and traceable.

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While the President, as the country’s chief security officer, sets the national security agenda, operational decisions are made through layers of command. It is conceivable that troop redeployment was driven by intelligence priorities or broader operational considerations. Yet the timing of this withdrawal and the catastrophic consequences demand transparency. Even if troops were needed elsewhere, the absence of alternative measures illustrates critical flaws in planning, coordination, and risk assessment. Citizens deserve more than partial explanations or political statements; they deserve accountability.

Schools in high-risk regions must be legally designated as protected civic facilities with permanent, trained security personnel. Protection cannot rely on ad hoc deployments or discretionary judgements. Administrators, parents, and local security committees must be integrated into security planning so that threats are assessed and mitigated proactively. Children cannot be collateral damage in the pursuit of operational convenience.

Nigeria must also strengthen its intelligence and early-warning systems. Community-based informant networks, digital reporting tools, and integrated communication between military, police, and intelligence agencies are essential to detect and neutralise threats before attacks occur. Lapses in intelligence or communication must be met with accountability; citizens cannot be left to rely on hope when their children’s lives are at risk.

Command and deployment protocols require reform. Orders to deploy or redeploy personnel must be documented, justified, and monitored. Arbitrary troop movements that leave civilians vulnerable cannot continue. Accountability must be systemic, not symbolic. Those found negligent, whether through action or inaction, must face consequences. This is about creating processes that work reliably, not about assigning blame for political theatre.

Civil society and community engagement are equally critical. Parents, teachers, and local leaders must participate in monitoring and oversight. Security cannot be imposed from the top down alone; community insights provide crucial intelligence and accountability. Operational limitations do not excuse failures that leave children defenceless. Planning must anticipate risks, not react to tragedies.

Critics may argue that operational demands or intelligence limitations justify troop withdrawals. While partially valid, these explanations do not absolve the government from responsibility to communicate, plan alternatives, and protect vulnerable populations. The absence of visible contingency measures in Kebbi exposes structural gaps that must be closed to prevent repeat disasters. Security planning is about mitigating risk, not convenience.

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The tragedy at Maga should spark urgent reform. Investigations by the Defence Headquarters must be transparent and inclusive, producing public findings, holding responsible parties accountable, and restoring trust. Beyond investigations, permanent protections for schools, robust intelligence systems, clear deployment protocols, and civic oversight must be implemented. These are not optional measures; they are necessary for safeguarding citizens and preventing further loss of life.

The night in Kebbi is a stark reminder: Nigeria’s children should never fear that those tasked with protecting them will be absent in their moment of need. Accountability, transparency, and proactive planning are essential for restoring public confidence in security institutions. Lessons from this tragedy must translate into systemic changes so that schools remain sanctuaries, security decisions are accountable, and citizens are assured that protection is non-negotiable.

Nigeria must act decisively. Lives cannot be protected through statements alone; they require actionable, measurable, and permanent security solutions. The tragedy in Kebbi should become a turning point, a catalyst for institutional reform, reinforced oversight, and tangible safeguards. Only then can Nigerians trust that their children are safe and that the state takes seriously its most fundamental obligation: to protect the lives of its citizens.

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