MURIC Queries Withdrawal of Soldiers Before Maga Schoolgirls’ Abduction

MURIC Queries Withdrawal of Soldiers Before Maga Schoolgirls’ Abduction

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has demanded answers over the mysterious withdrawal of soldiers from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State, shortly before bandits abducted 25 female students.

In a statement issued on Saturday, January 24, 2026, and signed by its Founder and Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, the faith-based civil society organisation questioned why the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) and the National Assembly are yet to make public the outcome of investigations into the incident, more than two months after it occurred.

The school was attacked in the early hours of Monday, November 17, 2025, despite prior intelligence reports warning of a possible assault. During the attack, bandits reportedly killed the vice principal and kidnapped 25 schoolgirls.

MURIC recalled that Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, had earlier disclosed that security agencies were alerted following intelligence about an impending attack. According to the governor, soldiers were deployed to the school but withdrew around 3:00 a.m., barely 45 minutes before the bandits struck.

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The group described the circumstances surrounding the withdrawal as troubling, questioning who authorized the soldiers’ exit at such a critical hour. MURIC also raised concerns over what it described as a breach of basic security protocol, noting that guards ordinarily do not abandon a post without replacement.

While acknowledging reports that the DHQ had interrogated the soldiers involved, MURIC expressed concern that no official findings have been released to the public. It also noted that the Senate had mandated its joint committee on security to investigate the withdrawal and gave a two-week ultimatum for a report, which has since elapsed without any public briefing.

According to MURIC, the silence surrounding the investigations is unsettling and undermines public confidence in the fight against insecurity.

“Nigerians want to know why both DHQ and the Senate are yet to make their findings public,” the group said, stressing that accountability is essential if Nigeria is to effectively address terrorism and banditry.

MURIC warned against what it described as a culture of “mass amnesia” in the country, where critical national issues are quickly forgotten, and vowed to continue drawing attention to the Maga school abduction until those responsible are held accountable.

MURIC Queries Withdrawal of Soldiers Before Maga Schoolgirls’ Abduction