Patience Leonard, PBA Journalism Mentee
Nasarawa State in the North Central region of Nigeria has ordered both public and private schools in the state to shut down following security threats.
The state Governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule issued the directive after a security council meeting he convened in Lafia, the State capital where the decision for the closure of schools across the state was taken. The directive according to the governor is a measure taken against imminent security threats to schools in parts of the state.
The State Commissioner for Education, Hajiya Fatu Jimaita Sabo issued a letter notifying the public about the closure.
The letter stated, “Following recurring incidents of security breaches and threats in parts of the country including some neighboring States, His Excellency, Engineer Abdullahi A. Sule, the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State has directed the immediate closure of both public and private primary and secondary Schools operating in the State as a precautionary measure.
“Accordingly, all Principals and Head Teachers of Secondary and Primary schools are directed to release their students/pupils to their parents and guardians.”
However, students currently undertaking their National Council Examinations–NECO have been exempted from the order. The Government promised to ensure their safety as they write their examinations.”
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This directive comes days after the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu ordered the closure of Federal Government College Kwali in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja over security threats in order to forestall any form of attack on students. The Minister had also stated that security arrangements were being made for final year students to complete their NECO examinations in Federal Government Colleges.
The Minister for Education had earlier explained that the timely intervention of security operatives saved the situation.
He however ordered 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.”
