Taraba gov orders immediate closure of school hostels over rising kidnapping threats
Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas
Abdullateef Fowewe
Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas has ordered the immediate closure of all hostels in both private and public secondary schools across the state to protect students from escalating security threats across Nigeria.
This directive mandated that all secondary schools operate strictly as day schools until further notice.
The announcement was made in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Education, Dr Augustina Godwin.
The statement highlighted the increasing danger boarding students face as potential targets for kidnappers, citing recent student abductions in Kebbi and Niger states. Dr Godwin quoted the governor, saying, “In light of the current circumstances, Governor Kefas has issued a directive requiring all secondary schools, both public and private, to function exclusively as day schools for the time being.
“Principals and school owners have been advised to promptly arrange for the deboarding of all students.”
The measure is described as a proactive step aimed at safeguarding the lives of students and preventing any security breaches linked to the growing unrest in the region.
The state government has reassured parents of its commitment to restoring stability and pledged to continue close collaboration with security agencies to address the situation.
The Commissioner also emphasised the need for school authorities to comply fully with the directive and increase vigilance on their premises.
This decision comes in the wake of multiple recent attacks on schools, including the chilling abduction of several students from St. Mary’s School in Papiri, Niger State, during a midnight raid.
This incident, along with the kidnapping of 25 students in Maga, Kebbi State, has intensified concerns about the deteriorating security environment in educational institutions in the region.
The statement concluded that student safety remains the top priority, and the government will monitor the situation closely to determine when it is safe to resume boarding school operations.
