By Bashir Adamu Zuru
The recent abduction of 25 female students from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area, has once again exposed the painful reality confronting communities in southern Kebbi. At a time when fear, grief, and uncertainty weigh heavily on families, leaders are expected to demonstrate empathy, clarity, and commitment to addressing the roots of insecurity.
It is within this context that Senator Garba Maidoki spoke the raising concerns about insecurity, displaced communities, and the state of development in Kebbi. Rather than engage constructively, the Kebbi State Government dismissed his remarks as “misleading,” according to a statement issued by Abdullahi Idris, Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy to Governor Nasir Idris.
But a closer look reveals why Maidoki’s intervention deserves consideration rather than condemnation.
A Senator Fulfilling His Democratic Duty
Senator Maidoki represents a constituency deeply affected by repeated bandit attacks. For years, communities across Zuru Emirate: Zuru, Sakaba, Danko-Wasagu, and Fakai have faced displacement, school closures, and deteriorating livelihoods. His responsibility, first and foremost, is to give voice to the suffering of his people.
To criticize insecurity in one’s state is not misrepresentation but representation.
If elected officials cannot question the effectiveness of security responses, highlight community grievances, or demand stronger action, then democratic accountability is lost. Maidoki’s remarks align with the constitutional duty of a legislator: oversight, advocacy, and speaking for vulnerable citizens.
The Maga Abductions Demand Honesty, Not Defensiveness
The kidnapping of schoolgirls is not a matter for political turf wars. It is a tragedy that should unite leaders across party lines. Instead of dismissing the senator’s concerns, the government should welcome scrutiny, as transparency strengthens public confidence.
Maidoki’s comments is far from being “misleading” as it reflect the lived experiences of ordinary people who feel unsafe, unheard, and unprotected.
Whether the government agrees with his tone or not, the core message remains valid: the security situation requires deeper attention, faster response mechanisms, and sincere collaboration between state and federal authorities.
Communities Need Solutions, Not Semantics
Displaced families sleeping in temporary shelters do not care about political statements. Farmers unable to access their farms are not concerned with image management. Parents whose daughters are missing need action, not rebuttals.
By raising issues of development, displacement, and safety, Senator Maidoki underscores a truth Kebbi must confront: security and development are inseparable. Without peace, schools cannot function, markets cannot thrive, and local economies cannot recover.
If his statements push the government to intensify efforts, improve communication, and engage more transparently with affected communities, then his contribution is not misleading, it is meaningful.
Constructive Criticism Strengthens Governance
Democracy thrives when leaders hold each other accountable.
Dismissing concerns does not change reality on the ground. Listening, collaborating, and responding do. The Kebbi State Government and Senator Maidoki ultimately share the same goal: a safer, more stable Kebbi where children can go to school without fear.
Rather than viewing Maidoki’s comments as an attack, the government should see them as an opportunity and a call to deepen coordination, review existing strategies, and reassure citizens that their leaders are united in the fight against insecurity.
Conclusion: Standing With the People of Kebbi
Senator Garba Maidoki did what a responsible public servant should do: he spoke up when his people were in pain. His stance on the Maga abductions and broader insecurity deserves fairness, not dismissal.
In times of crisis, truth-tellers are not the problem; insecurity is. And Kebbi State will be safer, stronger, and more united when leaders choose collaboration over confrontation, and empathy over defensiveness.
Bashir Adamu Zuru is a journalist based in Kaduna.
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Opinion