States shut down schools
At least 65 primary and secondary schools have been forced to close or become unable to function normally because of insecurity across several northern states, leaving thousands of children without regular access to education.
The affected schools are located mainly in Sokoto, Benue, Plateau, Borno, Kaduna and Kebbi.
The closures have been linked to terrorist and bandit attacks, abductions, displacement of communities and fears over the safety of pupils, students and teachers.
In Sokoto State, schools in 20 of the 23 local government areas were shut over security concerns.
The affected institutions identified include Government Secondary School, Tureta; Government Secondary School, Tangaza; Government Girls Secondary School, Bodinga; Government Girls Secondary School, Tambuwal; Government Technical College, Goronyo; Government Secondary School, Gudu; Government Secondary School, Gwadabawa; Government Girls Secondary School, Illela; Government Secondary School, Yabo; Government Girls Secondary School, Rabah; Government Technical College, Binji; Government Secondary School, Kebbe; Government Secondary School, Dange; and Government Secondary School, Shagari.
Benue State has recorded another large number of affected schools, particularly in Kwande, Gwer West, Guma and Logo local government areas.
The schools identified in Benue include LGEA NKST Science Primary School, Anyiin; LGEA RCM Primary School, Anyiin; LGEA Primary School, Anyiin; LGEA RCM Primary School, Igbur; LGEA Primary School, Chembe; LGEA Primary School, Iorza; LGEA NKST Primary School, Abeda-Shitile; LGEA RCM Primary School, Abeda-Shitile; LGEA RCM Primary School, Mchia; Shisho Unity Nursery and Primary School, Mchia; LGEA Primary School, Jootar; LGEA Primary School, Abiem; LGEA Primary School, Tyôgbihi; NKST Primary School, Azege; LGEA Primary School, Uzer; RCM Primary School, Ikyule; NKST Primary School, Mbakighir; NKST Primary School, Kurungu; NKST Primary School, Audu; NKST Primary School, Annakaa; LGEA Primary School, Abur-Kpera; NKST Primary School, Anungwa; NKST Primary School, Gwatse; LGEA Primary School, Aman; LGEA Primary School, Gbeleve; LGEA Primary School, Ugwe; RCM Primary School, Poovule; RCM Primary School, Ibôr; LGEA Primary School, Kwagh; LGEA Primary School, Vir; LGEA RCM Primary School, Akombo; LGEA Primary School, Ubver; LGEA Primary School, Ageraga; LGEA RCM Primary School, Shausu; and LGEA Primary School, Mou.
Borno State has also experienced fresh disruption to education, particularly in Askira-Uba Local Government Area.
Mussa Junior and Primary School was shut following the abduction of more than 40 pupils and students, while Lassa Secondary School was also closed after more than 30 students were abducted.
Schools in Mussa, Dille, Lassa and Chul communities had earlier been temporarily closed over security concerns. Students who needed to write examinations were moved to Government Secondary School, Uba.
Plateau State has also experienced disruptions in Riyom and Barkin Ladi local government areas.
The affected institutions include Government Secondary School, Shonong; Government Secondary School, Lwa; LEA Primary School, Hei-Gwe, in Kwi District; Government Secondary School, Fang; LEA Primary School, Fang; Government Secondary School, Sho; Government Secondary School, Barkin Ladi; Government Secondary School, Ropp; Dogo Primary School; and LEA Primary School, Dogo-Gashish.
Schools in communities such as Shonong, Lwa, Fang, Bangai, Tanjol, Darwat, Daku-Jol and Hei-Gwe Kwi have experienced disruptions following attacks and security threats.
Kaduna State has maintained learning activities across most of its 23 local government areas, but some institutions have been affected by serious security incidents.
Bethel High School and Greenfield University, both in Chikun Local Government Area, are among the institutions associated with major abduction incidents.
Other areas facing periodic security challenges include Birnin Gwari, Giwa, Chikun, Kajuru, Kauru and parts of Igabi. Attacks, displacement and fears among parents and school authorities have affected normal academic activities in some communities.
In Kebbi State, Government Girls Secondary School, Maga, in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area, remains closed because of insecurity.
The school was shut after gunmen attacked the area and abducted students. The incident has added to concerns about the safety of boarding schools located in communities that remain vulnerable to attacks.
Katsina State has also experienced prolonged school closures in frontline local government areas.
The affected areas include Batsari, Jibia, Kankara, Faskari, Sabuwa, Danmusa, Safana, Kurfi and Dandume.
