By Obinna Uballa
The Plateau State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) has ordered the immediate closure of all primary and junior secondary schools across the state, citing rising insecurity and the need for urgent preventive action.
In a statement issued on Friday in Jos, SUBEB spokesperson Mr. Richard Jonah said the move was necessary to safeguard pupils, teachers and school infrastructure amid growing fears of coordinated attacks on learning institutions across northern Nigeria.
“All Government Junior Model Secondary Schools (GJMSSs) will close effective Saturday, Nov. 22, while Primary and Day Schools will close effective Monday, Nov. 24,” Jonah announced.
He reassured parents and communities that the closure was temporary but essential “to forestall potential security threats,” adding that the government was prioritising the safety and wellbeing of its students. SUBEB also urged Local Government Education Authorities, school administrators and community leaders to cooperate fully with the directive and maintain vigilance.
FG shuts 41 Unity Colleges nationwide
Plateau’s directive came just hours after the Federal Government ordered the immediate closure of 41 Federal Unity Colleges following heightened security concerns across several states.
In a circular dated November 21 and issued by the Federal Ministry of Education, Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, approved the shutdown “sequel to the recent security challenges in some parts of the country and the need to prevent any security breaches.”
The affected schools span the North-West, North-East, North-Central, and parts of the South. Principals have been directed to enforce the closure without delay.
Taraba also shuts school hostels
Similarly, the Taraba State Government announced the closure of all boarding facilities in public and private secondary schools. The directive, issued by Commissioner for Education Dr Augustina Godwin, followed the recent abductions of students in Kebbi and Niger states.
Godwin said Governor Agbu Kefas had ordered that all secondary schools operate strictly as day schools “for the time being,” noting that boarding students had become easy targets amid worsening insecurity.
Renewed mass abductions deepen fears
The wave of closures follows a string of attacks on schools. On Friday, terrorists invaded St. Mary’s Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, abducting a yet-to-be-confirmed number of students. Witnesses said the attackers stormed the school around 2am, shooting the gatekeeper and fleeing with the students on over 60 motorcycles.
Earlier in the week, 25 schoolgirls were kidnapped in Maga, Kebbi State. Rumours of an abduction in Nasarawa also triggered panic before the police dismissed the claims as false.
Concerned by the escalating situation, President Bola Tinubu directed the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, to relocate to Kebbi to lead rescue efforts. The President has also postponed scheduled trips to Johannesburg and Angola.
Growing calls for coordinated action
The resurgence of school kidnappings – reminiscent of the 2014 Chibok abductions – has intensified calls for robust security measures to protect learning centres. Global bodies, including UNICEF, have repeatedly condemned the attacks and urged Nigeria to prioritise the safety of learners.
