From Sani Gazas Chinade, Damaturu
The Yobe State Government has directed the immediate closure of all boarding secondary schools across the state as a proactive measure to safeguard students, following growing concerns over attacks on educational institutions in the region.
The directive, disclosed in a statement by Mamman Mohammed, Director-General of Press and Media Affairs to the governor, came after a high-level security meeting chaired by Governor Mai Mala Buni with the state’s security chiefs.
The meeting reviewed recent security incidents affecting schools across the country, particularly the increasing spate of abductions and violent attacks targeting students and staff in northern Nigeria.
A notice signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Dr. Bukar Aji Bukar, instructed that all secondary schools remain closed until further notice, pending improvements in the security situation.
Governor Buni urged residents to pray for the leadership, security personnel, and for peace and enhanced security across the state and the nation at large.
He described the decision as a necessary precaution to prevent potential harm to students.
In recent days, several states, including Katsina, Kebbi, and Niger, have temporarily closed schools in response to security threats, particularly during periods of heightened banditry and insurgent activities.
Parents and community leaders have commended the Yobe government’s decision, emphasizing that the safety of students must take precedence over academic activities.
“The government is right to act swiftly. Nothing is more important than the lives of our children,” said Alhaji Musa Goni, a parent from Damaturu.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education has assured that efforts are underway to provide guidance for alternative learning methods while the closure remains in effect, including remote learning and community-based educational support where feasible.
The closure underscores the persistent security challenges in northern Nigeria and the government’s commitment to protecting the lives of students in vulnerable settings.
