Bandit Attacks Force Nigerian Govt To Close Unity Colleges In FCT

Following the growing incidents of attacks and kidnapping by armed bandits, the Nigerian government on Monday ordered the closure of Federal Government College (FGC), Kali in Abuja.

According to a statement signed by Ben. Bem Goong, Director of Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education on Monday, the ministry ordered the closure of the Federal Government College Kwali.

The school which is located in Kwali Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, had requested the parents on July 24 to pick up their children on Monday, July 25, after a nearby community was attacked by bandits who kidnapped some of the residents.

Goong said the Federal Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu gave the directive for the closure of FGC Kwali due to security breach in Sheda and Lambata villages,  and suburbs of Kwali Area Council which also threatened the school.

Adamu stated that the timely intervention of security operatives saved the situation.

The statement posted on the Twitter handle of the Federal Ministry of Education indicated that the minister directed that “arrangement should be made for final year students to conclude their NECO (National Examination Council) examinations.”

Adamu also directed all principals of Unity Colleges across the country to “liaise with security agencies within their jurisdictions in order to forestall any security breach in our schools.”

Unity colleges especially in the north have been faced with security threats by bandits in recent times.

It would be recalled that recently, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Andrew Adejo disclosed that the ministry is trying to adopt some security measures in the nation’s schools which include abolishing boarding schools in rural areas for the meantime due to insecurity.

Adejo gave the hint during his address at the opening of the 81st plenary meeting of the Joint Consultative Committee on Education, held in Yola, the Adamawa State Capital on Monday, July 18. The theme of the JCCE meeting was “Strengthening Security and Safety in Nigeria Schools for the Achievement of Education 2030 Agenda.”