In a decisive response to the mass abduction of students from St. Mary's Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools, the Niger State Government has ordered the immediate closure of all educational institutions across the state.
Security Crisis Forces School Shutdown
The emergency measure comes barely 24 hours after gunmen stormed educational facilities in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area, kidnapping over 300 students and teachers in one of the state's worst security incidents.
Governor Mohammed Bago announced the closure during a press briefing in Minna following an urgent security and stakeholders meeting at Government House. The governor revealed that all schools - both private and public - will remain closed until after the New Year, while institutions in security-affected areas will remain shut indefinitely.
Comprehensive Closure Affects All Institutions
The sweeping closure order encompasses a wide range of educational facilities, including Islamic schools, missionary institutions, federal government colleges, and tertiary institutions such as schools of nursing and midwifery.
Governor Bago emphasized that while schools were scheduled to close for Christmas holidays in two weeks, the government could no longer take any chances with student safety. The early closure affects all private primary and secondary schools across Niger State.
Rescue Operations Underway Amid Uncertain Numbers
Speaking about the abduction incident, Governor Bago described it as a preventable tragedy but stated the government would focus on rescue efforts rather than blame games. Security agencies including the DSS and police are currently conducting headcounts to determine the exact number of abducted victims.
"We have just been seeing a lot of numbers in the media but the figures are not official," Governor Bago stated. "The DSS, police and other security agencies are already doing the head count and by the end of today, we will have the official figure."
The governor specifically noted that schools in Niger North region will remain closed until further notice due to the heightened security concerns in that area.
