The Yobe State Government has directed all boarding secondary schools to close temporarily as insecurity continues to spread across parts of the country.
The directive was announced in a statement released by Mamman Mohammed, the Director General of Press and Media Affairs to Governor Mai Mala Buni. According to him, the decision became necessary to prevent any potential threats to students’ safety.
“Yobe state government has directed the closure of all boarding Secondary Schools in the state as a proactive measure to safeguard students in the schools,” the statement said.
He explained that the shutdown followed a security briefing involving Governor Mai Mala Buni and heads of security agencies in the state, during which recent incidents targeting schools in different parts of Nigeria were reviewed.
Mohammed further cited the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Bukar Bukar, who instructed that every boarding secondary school should shut down immediately until the security situation shows improvement.
Governor Buni appealed to residents to continue offering prayers for leaders, security personnel, and for the restoration of peace across Nigeria.
Growing Wave of School Closures Nationwide
With this move, Yobe becomes one of several states that have opted to shut schools due to increasing security risks, especially following a series of mass abductions targeting educational institutions in northern Nigeria.
Kebbi, Plateau, and Kwara States recently announced similar suspensions of academic activities. The Federal Government also ordered the closure of 14 unity schools, pending a comprehensive review of the security situation in the affected regions.
These decisions come amid a troubling pattern of kidnappings. Earlier in the week, 24 students were abducted in Kebbi State. Shortly after, about 315 students were seized in Niger State by gunmen. In Kwara State, another attack on a church led to multiple kidnappings and the death of two individuals.
In response to the rising violence, President Bola Tinubu ordered heightened security operations nationwide and assured Nigerians that all abducted victims would be safely rescued.
What You Should Know
Yobe State’s decision to close boarding schools is part of a broader wave of school shutdowns prompted by increasing insecurity across Nigeria.
The move follows several recent mass abductions targeting students, prompting both state and federal authorities to take precautionary steps to protect learners.
The government continues to emphasize vigilance, prayer, and enhanced security operations while efforts intensify to rescue abducted victims and stabilize the affected regions.
