The Senator representing Abia South, Enyinnaya Abaribe, has demanded clear answers from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the reported withdrawal of soldiers from a school in Kebbi State shortly before bandits kidnapped several students. Speaking during Wednesday’s Senate plenary, Abaribe said Nigerians deserved to know who issued the order that removed security personnel from the area, leaving the school exposed to attack.
The Kebbi school abduction, which occurred earlier in the month, has continued to generate concern across the country. Many Nigerians are worried about the growing trend of attacks on schools, especially in northern states, where bandits have repeatedly targeted students for ransom. In this case, the Governor of Kebbi State had earlier stated that soldiers guarding the school were withdrawn before the incident, raising questions about how such a decision was taken and why.
Abaribe, while addressing fellow lawmakers, expressed strong disappointment that no explanation had been given by the Federal Government or the military high command. According to him, the nation cannot continue to treat serious security lapses as normal. “The governor of Kebbi said that somebody ordered the troops out, and people were kidnapped. Till today, nobody in Nigeria knows what happened,” he said. “No questions have been asked, and we are sitting down as parliament, talking and talking, yet somebody is responsible.”
The senator noted that the silence from authorities was troubling, especially since the withdrawal of soldiers appeared to have played a direct role in the success of the attack. He added that President Tinubu, as Commander-in-Chief, must ensure that those responsible are identified and held accountable. Abaribe argued that setting a firm example in such cases would help restore public confidence in government efforts to tackle insecurity.
The Kebbi incident has revived painful memories of past school abductions in Nigeria. Since the 2014 abduction of schoolgirls from Chibok in Borno State, several other schools have been attacked in states such as Kaduna, Niger, Zamfara, and Katsina. Many of these incidents occurred in remote areas with limited security presence, making schools easy targets for heavily armed criminal groups. Although the government has made promises over the years to strengthen school security, communities continue to complain about slow responses and inadequate protection.
The senator also criticized what he described as a culture of silence whenever security failures happen. He told his colleagues that both the Senate and the Nigerian public deserve full transparency, not vague explanations or attempts to downplay the seriousness of events. Abaribe reminded the Senate that insecurity remains one of the biggest challenges facing the country and that every level of government must act responsibly.
His remarks were met with murmurs of support from some lawmakers, who also expressed frustration with the repeated cycles of attacks and government assurances that rarely lead to lasting change. Several senators have in recent months raised motions on kidnappings, bandit attacks, and the need for comprehensive security reforms. However, there is growing public pressure for the legislature to do more than pass motions and instead demand accountability from security agencies.
Beyond the immediate issue of troop withdrawal, the Kebbi kidnapping has once again highlighted the vulnerability of schools in rural areas. Many schools lack perimeter fencing, alarm systems, or any form of trained security presence. Parents in affected states often express fear about sending their children to school, and some communities have even shut down classrooms after repeated attacks.
As of the time of reporting, the presidency had not released an official statement responding to Abaribe’s demands. The military also had not clarified who gave the order for soldiers to leave the school area. Families of the kidnapped students remain anxious, and security forces are reportedly searching for the victims, though details of the rescue efforts have not been publicly disclosed.
For many Nigerians, the key issue is not only the attack itself but the mystery surrounding the troop withdrawal. This, they argue, points to a serious governance problem—one that affects trust in the nation’s security system. Abaribe’s call reflects a wider demand that leaders must stop treating security failures as routine and must instead take clear, decisive action.