Gov. Nasir Idris of Kebbi says some enemies of Nigeria are working against its democracy.
Idris stated this while receiving the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr Abbas Tajudeen, on a sympathy visit at Government House, Birnin Kebbi, on Monday.
The governor observed that the spate of abductions in the country called for stiffer measures to halt the menace.
He stressed the need for thorough investigations into the circumstances leading to the Military’s withdrawal 45 minutes before bandits attacked the Government Girls’ Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Danko-Wasago Local Government Area of the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the military personnel stationed at the school withdrew at 3:00 a.m. and the bandits struck at 3:45 a.m., signalling an alleged foul play in the whole scenario.
“I want to appeal to the National Assembly to invite the military to explain who gave those military officers on duty the order to withdraw.
“This action calls for thorough investigations, because by 3:00 a.m. of that fateful day, the military men on duty withdrew, while, by 3:45 a.m., the bandits came in and perpetrated their evil intention,” he revealed.
The governor recalled that when the government received an intelligence report about the bandits’ attack, it summoned a security meeting, where the security agencies advised that they needed assistance to mobilise personnel to the area, and the government immediately succumbed.
“This government does not joke with the issue of security, hence the decision to procure about 100 Toyota Hilux vans as well as about 1,000 motorcycles and distribute the same to the security agencies to aid their movement across the state,” he said.
Idris stressed the need for Nigeria to revisit its security architecture to ensure lasting peace across the nation.
He lamented how bandits move in their hundreds, sometimes on highways, travelling hundreds of kilometres before sneaking into the bush, asking,” What are we doing as a nation?
“The house must do something about the security situation in this country, I believe enemies are working to truncate our democracy.”
The governor, however, assured that both the federal and state governments were doing everything possible to rescue the abducted students and reunite them with their families.
On the speaker’s request to immortalise the Vice Principal killed in the process of abduction, Idris instantly announced that the school would be named after him.
He appreciated the speaker for the visit and the donation of N30 million to the families of two staff who lost their lives.
Earlier, the speaker said the house had received the information with utmost shock, as Kebbi had been one of the peaceful states in the country.
“We are here to show you our love, our concern over what happened, especially when you and Mr President are doing all you can to fix this country.
“I believe Mr President is doing his best to protect the lives and property of Nigerians,” he said.
Tajuddeen, however, suggested that Nigeria needed to think outside the box to effectively tackle the lingering security issues that have bedevilled the country.
The speaker said, in view of what happened in Kebbi, Kwara and Niger, the house had dedicated Tuesday’s plenary to discussing security issues, with a view to proffering plausible solutions to the menace.
According to him, the house is expecting to host the US Ambassador to Nigeria and many other Envoys who will attend the session.
