Niger orders closure of schools over insecurity

The Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago, has ordered the immediate closure of all schools in the state following the terrorist attack on St. Mary’s Private Primary and Secondary School.

According to a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, the governor gave the directive on Saturday after a high-level security meeting with heads of security agencies at the Government House.

He said the meeting was convened in response to Friday’s abduction of more than 300 pupils and teachers from the school located in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area.

The statement said Bago directed all missionary, Islamic, and tertiary institutions in the state to close until further notice.

“All missionary, Islamic Schools and Federal Government Colleges should be shut down until further notice.

“All tertiary institutions in the Niger North Senatorial District and other vulnerable areas in the Niger East Senatorial District are to be closed down as well,” the statement read.

The governor urged all heads of security agencies, civil society organisations, organised labour, and religious leaders to focus on rescuing the abducted children.

He assured residents that the government would continue to protect the lives and property of its citizens.

Bago described the abduction at St. Mary’s School as sad and unfortunate, noting that the primary concern is the rescue of the kidnapped children and other victims.

“The number of children kidnapped from St. Mary’s Catholic School has not been ascertained. The Department of State Services, the Nigeria Police, and other security agencies are working around the clock to carry out a headcount of the students in order to determine the actual figure,” he said.

The governor appealed for calm, understanding, and prayers from the public for the safe return of the abducted students.

PUNCH Online had reported that bandits, on Friday morning, attacked St. Mary’s Private Primary and Secondary School, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area of the state, on motorcycles.

The bandits abducted pupils, students, and teachers, estimated at 315, according to the Chairman of the Niger State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Most Rev. Bulus Yohanna.(Punch)