Hussaini Ibrahim 
Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris
KEBBI, Nigeria – The Kebbi school closures in communities affected by banditry will remain in place until authorities are satisfied that students and teachers can return safely, the state government says.
The government said the decision, which has been in effect for about seven months, is driven solely by security concerns and not political considerations, insisting that protecting children remains its overriding priority.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy to Governor Nasir Idris, Abdullahi Idris Sadaukin Zuru, accused the African Democratic Congress (ADC) of attempting to pressure the government into reopening schools through campaigns by unidentified groups and social media platforms.
The statement did not specify the affected communities or disclose the number of schools that remain closed.
“The safety of our children cannot be subjected to politics or blackmail. No amount of falsehood or pressure will make this administration compromise on the lives of innocent students,” the statement said.
The government said reopening schools without adequate security guarantees would expose pupils, students and teachers to unacceptable risks.
It noted that Kebbi is not alone in closing schools because of insecurity, saying Borno State and other northern states have adopted similar measures following prolonged attacks by armed groups.
According to the statement, Governor Idris has intensified support for security operations by providing operational vehicles, motorcycles and financial and logistical assistance to security agencies while increasing the deployment of security personnel.
According to the statement, the fund will be managed by former Chief of Army Staff Martin Agwai and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Yayale Ahmed, with each participating state contributing ₦1 billion monthly.
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Mirian Gom 
