Several northern states and a tertiary institution have ordered the immediate closure of schools in response to heightened security threats following a series of student abductions in the region. The recent mass kidnapping at St. Mary’s Papiri Private Catholic Secondary School in Niger State has been a major trigger for these precautionary measures.
In Niger State, Governor Umaru Bago directed the immediate and indefinite closure of all schools, including private, primary, secondary, religious institutions, the Federal Government College Minna, and nursing schools in Bida and Kontagora. The order came after an expanded security meeting in Minna, with the Governor describing the abduction incident as “unfortunate and avoidable.” He urged unity in rescue operations and announced that the closure would serve as an early Christmas break due to the prevailing security challenges.
Similarly, Yobe State government ordered all boarding secondary schools to close with immediate effect. The directive followed a security meeting chaired by Governor Mai Mala Buni and state security officials to assess threats to educational institutions. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education emphasized that the closure is temporary and will be reviewed once the security situation improves.
In Kebbi State, Abdullahi Fodio University of Science and Technology, Aliero, ordered an immediate and indefinite shutdown of the campus. Staff and students were instructed to vacate within an hour. While the university did not officially cite a reason, sources indicated that the closure was linked to growing security risks affecting schools across northern Nigeria, particularly after recent abductions in Kebbi and Niger States.
The series of closures underscores the ongoing concern for student safety and reflects the proactive steps taken by authorities to prevent further incidents amid rising insecurity in the region.
