Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 
KEBBI, Nigeria – The Kebbi State Government has ordered the immediate closure of all primary and secondary schools following escalating insecurity across several communities.
The shutdown, which affects both public and private institutions, comes after a sharp rise in violent attacks and targeted kidnappings, especially incidents involving schoolchildren.
The decision was announced in a joint statement issued on Sunday in Birnin Kebbi by the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Halima Bande, and the Commissioner for Higher Education, Issa Abubakar-Tunga. Both officials stressed that the worsening security situation required urgent intervention to protect vulnerable students and staff.
Bande explained that recent attacks, including the abduction of schoolgirls in Maga, had intensified public anxiety and prompted repeated calls from parents for stronger government action. “The safety of our children is the government’s top priority. Keeping schools open under these conditions would expose them to unacceptable risks,” she said.
Abubakar-Tunga added that the decision followed direct recommendations from security agencies, who warned that attacks on education facilities could rise. He urged school heads to comply immediately and assured that a reopening date would be announced once security agencies give clearance.
The closure affects institutions across all 21 local government areas, including government day schools, boarding schools, and private institutions. The directive also extends to several state-owned tertiary institutions such as Kebbi State Polytechnic (Dakingari), Abdullahi Fodio University of Science and Technology (Aliero), the College of Health Sciences and Technology (Jega), Adamu Augie College of Education (Argungu), and the School of Remedial Studies (Yauri).
Only the College of Nursing Sciences and Midwifery in Birnin Kebbi will remain open, with authorities closely monitoring the evolving situation.
Officials appealed for calm, promising that security agencies were intensifying operations to stabilise affected communities.
About the Author
Oluwafunbi Bello 
Mirian Gom 
Hussaini Ibrahim