Fatimah Otunsanya
The Yobe State Government has ordered the closure of all boarding secondary schools as part of a proactive effort to protect students amid rising security concerns in the country.
The directive, issued on Saturday by Governor Mai Mala Buni, followed a security meeting he held with heads of security agencies in the state to review recent attacks targeting schools in other regions.
The development was announced in a statement released on Saturday, signed by the Director General of Press and Media Affairs to the Governor, Mohammed Mamman, and made available to reporters.
According to the statement, the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education has already circulated a notice mandating an immediate shutdown of the schools.
“A notice signed by the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Dr. Bukar Aji Bukar, directed immediate closure of all secondary schools pending improvement in the situation,” the statement noted.
Mamman added that Governor Buni urged residents to support ongoing security efforts through prayers.
“Governor Buni called on the people of the state to pray for the leadership, security operatives, peace and improved security in the country,” the statement added.
Yobe joins the list of northern states that have closed their boarding facilities following the abductions of students and the killing of innocent citizens.
NigeriaTodayTimes had reported that several students from St. Mary’s School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, were kidnapped by terrorists in the early hours of Friday.
The incident comes just days after a similar attack in Maga, Kebbi State, where 25 students were kidnapped, heightening concerns over the deteriorating security situation in educational institutions across the region.