A pervasive fear of student abductions by terrorist groups has prompted several state governments in Northern Nigeria to pre-emptively close primary and secondary schools to mitigate the risk of further attacks.
The severity of the threat was underlined by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger State chapter, which confirmed the abduction of 303 students and 12 teachers from St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools, Papiri, Agwarra Local Government Area, on Friday.
Consequently, the governments of Plateau, Niger, and Taraba States enacted blanket closures over the weekend, affecting all public and private educational institutions, including tertiary level schools, situated in high-risk areas.
Following the closure directives in Plateau and Niger States, parents converged on schools Saturday to retrieve their children.
This immediate response disrupted academic schedules, as the first-term examinations in most affected schools were either underway or set to begin on Monday.
Niger Governor Mohammed Bago, addressing a news conference after a security meeting in Minna, described the recent mass abduction at Papiri as an “unfortunate and avoidable” incident.
“This incident could have been avoided. However, it is not a time for blame game. Our mission today is to see how we can rescue these children and all those kidnapped alongside,” he said.
The governor called on security agencies, civil society organisations, organized labour and clerics to unite and focus on the rescue efforts.
He stressed the government’s commitment to protecting lives and property.
According to him, Nigeria is the only country we have and Niger State is still our state. As such, we must continue as government to protect the lives and property of our citizens.
He said the closure of schools affects private, primary and secondary schools, religious and missionary schools, Federal Government College, Minna as well as the schools of Nursing in Bida and Kontagora, adding that the closure would be until further notice.
He explained that the closure would serve as an early Christmas break for all primary and secondary schools in the state, given the prevailing security concerns.
Bago added that the exact number of abducted children had not been confirmed, saying security agencies were conducting headcounts before an official statement would be issued later in the day.
Similarly, the Taraba State government, on Saturday, ordered the closure of all basic and secondary school hostels in the state over increasing wave of abductions.
The announcement was contained in a statement issued by the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education in the state, Dr Augustina Godwin.
The statement indicated that the directive, which is with immediate effect, affect both public and private secondary schools in the state.
“Following the insecurity challenges in the country. It has been observed that the boarding students, either in public or private secondary schools, are the target of the bandits, with reference to the recent abduction of students in Kebbi and Niger States.
“In view of the unhealthy situation in the country, the governor of Taraba State, Dr Agbu Kefas, has directed the deboarding (i.e all schools should operate as day for the moment) in both private/public secondary schools in the state with immediate effect.
“In the light of the above, I am directed to inform all principals and proprietors of secondary schools to deboard all students without further delay.”
Persecondnews recalls that the Plateau State government had, on Friday, also closed down private and public schools in the state for fear of attack by terrorists.
Police Commissioner Rabiu Muhammad had embarked on a strategic tour to some schools and institutions, especially those in the rural areas.
According to a statement issued by the Kaduna Police spokesman, Mansir Hassan, more policemen had been deployed to some of these schools, adding that additional police officers had been deployed to the Federal University, Kachia in the state.
The statement also noted that relevant stakeholders have been drafted to intensify surveillance in their communities.
In Katsina State, public and private schools have been directed by the government to close their boarding and day schools.
A statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the Katsina State Ministry for Basic and Secondary Education, Sani Danjuma Suleiman, noted that the action was taken, “in view of recent security developments in some parts of Northern states.
“This precautionary measure is in line with the present administration’s unwavering commitment to safeguard the lives of students, teachers and school personnel, as well as strengthening existing security mechanisms already in place.”
The statement revealed that the directive applies to all public, private and community schools operating within the state.
“The ministry acknowledges the inconvenience this may cause to parents, guardians and school managers as well as the students.
“The government said the security and well-being of the citizens remain the top priority of the government.
“School authorities are therefore advised to ensure full compliance with the directive, while parents and guardians are encouraged to cooperate and support the government’s efforts during this period,” the statement read.
Also in Kebbi State, the Abdullahi Fodio University of Science and Technology, Aliero in Kebbi State has announced the closure of the university with immediate effect due to security threats in the state.
A statement by the university and signed by the Registrar, Maimaro Alhahji Tilli, said, “I am directed by the vice chancellor to inform all staff and students that the university is hereby shut down till further notice.”
In a statement signed by his media aide, Daniel Atori, Niger State CAN Chairman Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna provided the verified, final census of the attack victims.
Yohanna confirmed that the number was higher than initially reported, revealing that some students who had successfully escaped were later recaptured by the terrorists.
“After we left the school at Papiri, we decided to make calls, do verification exercise and do further enquiries on those we had thought escaped successfully, only to discover that 88 more students were also captured after they tried to escape.
“Our attention was drawn to it when some parents whose children we had thought escaped from the attack also came asking of their children. We became curious and that was when we did census and discovered that they were abducted.
“This now makes it 303 students (male and female), including 12 teachers (4 females and 8 males), bringing the total to number of abducted persons to 315. The total of pupils and students (in the school) is 629 with primary having 430 and the secondary 199 students,” he said.
He also dismissed the insinuation that the school received prior warning from the government and security agencies about the attack, adding that it was just propaganda.
Yohanana said: “That is not true, we did not receive any circular, and it must be an afterthought and a way to shift blame. Around 2022, when we heard of rumours of security challenge, we did not hesitate to shut down immediately. Is it when there is a circular from the government asking us to shut down that we will now not obey?
“The school is owned by the Catholic Diocese and not by any individual. None of the Reverend Sisters travelled to Abuja as they alleged. Whoever made that misleading statement should know that it is a false allegation and should withdraw such or provide the proof and evidence.
“We have asked the Education Secretary if he received a circular or if he was asked to send any to us, he said no. We asked if he was verbally informed, he also said no. Let them tell the world who they gave the circular to or through what channel they sent it.
“We also asked the National Association of Private Schools, they did not get any such circular. They claimed the school was shut down and reopened few days ago, that is also not true; we are law-abiding.”
Calling on everyone to maintain calm and faith, the CAN Chairman gave the assurance that the church remains committed to active collaboration with all key stakeholders—including security forces, community leaders, and government authorities—to secure the prompt and safe release of the abductees.
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