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By Myke Agunwa
The Bauchi State Government has ordered the immediate closure of all primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions, both public and private, as well as federal institutions, citing escalating insecurity and threats to the safety of students and staff across the state.
The directive, issued on Sunday by the Bauchi State Ministry of Education, comes amid a wave of killings, mass abductions, and violent attacks sweeping across several parts of Nigeria.
Note that the country has witnessed a disturbing escalation in violent crime over the last two weeks, with schools increasingly becoming soft targets. 315 students and teachers were abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Niger State on Wednesday just as 25 schoolgirls were kidnapped from a government girls’ school in Kebbi State.
Dozens were abducted in separate attacks in Zamfara communities and on the Gusau–Sokoto highway. 15 travellers were kidnapped along the Abuja–Kaduna expressway in two separate incidents and several farmers abducted in Benue. It has been reported that over 380 people have been abducted in the last 10 days.
In its statement, the ministry said the decision followed “extensive consultations” and an urgent review of the deteriorating security situation.
“The government is fully aware of the inconvenience this may cause. However, the protection of our children remains our highest moral responsibility,” the statement read.
It added that the government would only reopen schools when it is convinced that the learning environment is “safe, stable, and free of fear.” Parents, guardians, and school proprietors were urged to remain calm as security agencies work to restore normalcy.
The closure in Bauchi follows similar shutdowns of about 47 Unity Schools by the Federal Government after a series of coordinated attacks on schools and communities.
The Bauchi State government says restoring safety is now a top priority.
“We are working closely with security agencies to address the concerns swiftly and comprehensively,” the Education Ministry said. “Normal academic activities will resume as soon as it is safe to do so.”