SENATOR Garba Maidoki, who represents Kebbi South in the Senate, on Wednesday, rejected attempts to shorten the screening of defence minister-designate, Gen Christopher Musa, insisting that the army chief must explain why soldiers were withdrawn minutes before the Kebbi school abduction.
“The people of my state deserve answers. The troop withdrawal before the Kebbi school abduction cannot be brushed aside. We must scrutinise the issues properly,” the senator said.
The mild drama took place during the screening of the defence minister-designate, Gen Musa, yesterday. It was an intense screening session where senators asked questions regarding why the nation’s security had so deteriorated.
Gen Christopher Musa
Gen. Musa, who is a former Chief of Defence Staff, was removed in November by President Bola Tinubu during a military shake-up. He was returned when ex-Defence Minister. Mr Mohammed Badaru, resigned suddenly earlier this week.
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Two weeks ago, gunmen kidnapped 25 female students of Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Kebbi State, shooting the principal. The late-night attack left the vice principal, Mr Hassan Yakubu Makuku, dead after he reportedly tried shielding the students from the attackers.
Incidentally, soldiers guarding the area were withdrawn before the incident occured. During the screening, the withdrawal of troops from Government Comprehensive Girls Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State, shortly before the abduction of schoolgirls occured on November 17 was queried. And senators demanded an explanation.
Gen. Musa did not shy away from the matter, as he noted that his first assignment as the defence minister would be to investigate the incident.
“As soon as I assume office, the first thing I will do is order a full-scale investigation into what happened in Kebbi State,” he said.
“A withdrawal of troops before such a tragic abduction is unacceptable. There are questions that need answers, and we will get to the bottom of it.”
Other issues
He also condemned the killing of Brigadier General Musa Uba in Borno State, describing such the attack as intolerable.
“It is very unfortunate and really painful. We will not stand by and watch terrorists possess the capacity or audacity to operate freely. We are going to go after them fully and we will investigate thoroughly,” he noted.
He also delved into the contentious issue of ransom payment to terrorists, saying that it emboldened them and enable them to have sufficient resources to procure arms.
“There should be no negotiation with criminals. If you negotiate with them, they will never abide by any agreement. They use the money to buy more arms. Many of them are on drugs and kill indiscriminately,” Gen. Musa said.
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He said Nigerians must work together to confront and defeat the challenges facing the nation at the moment. “I assure you that we will win this war working as a united team. Nigeria is great. We will never be ashamed. We are one people,” he said, warning that the military alone would not resolve all security problems in the nation today.
“The military solution is only 20 percent to 25 percent. Ministries, departments and agencies must support us. It is very unfortunate that our children are still being abducted. Most schools have been built without perimeter fences; they are simply exposed. Crime is localised, and security agencies cannot be everywhere,” he said, stressing that several communities must be empowered to act as first responders.
He called for improved technology, communication channels and real-time intelligence sharing.
“Information conveyance has been an issue. We need a whole-of-society approach—technology, armed forces, the police, and communities working together.”
Musa said that Nigeria’s laws are outdated and slow to deliver justice. “Our laws are obsolete. Justice is delayed too often, and this emboldens criminals. Illegal mining must be tackled because it is directly fueling insecurity.”
Insecurity rising in Nigeria
Terrorists are now more emboldened to carry out fiercer attacks in Nigeria, particularly in schools. Two weeks ago, gunmen kidnapped 25 female students of Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Kebbi State, shooting the principal.
The same day, terrorists kidnapped Fr. Bobbo Paschal from St. Stephen Parish of Kaduna Catholic Archdiocese, where he serves as Parish Priest.
The next day, no fewer than five persons were killed and several others abducted after terrorists attacked Eruku, a boundary town with Kogi State.
Gunmen also attacked a church in the town in the evening of the same day, killing at least two people and kidnapping the pastor and some worshippers. One month earlier, 18 worshippers had been kidnapped. They were, however, released yesterday.
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Nigeria’s president also confirmed that Brig. Gen. Musa Uba was killed by a terrorist group while in captivity, days after he was kidnapped by ISWAP militants in Borno State. The attack had also claimed the lives of four other soldiers.
Earlier on Saturday, terrorists killed three persons and abducted at least 64 others at Fegin Baza village in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State. The incident happened a day after Minister of State for Defence and former governor of the state, Mr Bello Mohammed Matawalle, visited the state and claimed that the Defence Headquarters had deployed fresh troops, according to Daily Trust.
The terrorists also kidnapped 315 pupils in a Catholic school in Niger State on Thursday, out of which 50 have escaped.
Currently, unity schools have been shut down, just as the Plateau State government has ordered the closure of schools in the state over possible security breach.
The Catholic Archdiocese of Jos has also cancelled the 2025 Christ the King procession earlier scheduled to hold across all its parishes, pastoral areas and chaplaincies, citing rising security concerns in Nigeria and particularly in Plateau State. Hence, the fear of attacks by terrorists is forcing federal and subnational governments into taking unwanted decisons.
