Nasarawa govt orders closure of primary, secondary schools over insecurity

Following growing security challenges and threats, the Nasarawa State government has ordered the immediate closure of primary and secondary schools in the state over

Commissioner for Education in the State, Fatu Sabo, announced the development on Wednesday after a meeting of the State Executive Council.

Sabo said that the order was given by the State Governor, Abdullahi Sule.

In a statement issued after the meeting, the Commissioner, however, said those currently undertaking the National Examinations Council (NECO) and Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) would be allowed to remain in school, while measures would be taken to ensure their safety.

The statement said, “Following recurring incidences of security breaches and threats in parts of the country including some neighbouring 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.

“It is noteworthy however that students currently undertaking the NECO/SSCE examinations are to remain as Government has put measures in place to ensure their safety during the examinations.”

The order comes on the heels of recent attacks by gunmen in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as well as threats of further attacks.

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Nasarawa is a border State with the FCT with multitude of residents in the State carrying out their daily businesses and other endeavours in the country’s capital city.

There is a tendency that any attack in the FCT to either flow into Nasarawa or have advanced effects on the fortunes of the State and its dwellers.

Among recent attacks in the FCT was the invasion of the Kuje Medium Correctional Centre in the Kuje Council Area on July 5, by terrorists, which led to the escape of over 600 inmates including 64 Boko Haram suspects.

Also, troops of the Presidential Guard were attacked in the Bwari Council Area of the FCT on July 24, with three casualties recorded while several others injured.

An attack in some communities in Kwali also forced the Federal Ministry of Education to order the closure of the Federal Government College, Kwali, also in the FCT.

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