The Nigerian Government has stepped up efforts to safeguard schools and strengthen security across northern states, following fresh attacks by armed groups that led to the abduction of students and teachers in Niger State.
The Government on Friday ordered the temporary closure of 41 unity schools in high-risk areas as part of measures to prevent further incidents. Several state governments—including Katsina, Kwara, Plateau and Benue, have also suspended academic activities in select schools due to rising insecurity.
This is coming following the abduction of 215 pupils and 12 teachers of St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri in Agwara Local Government Area in Niger State during an overnight attack on Friday.
This occurred four days after 26 schoolgirls were kidnapped from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, Kebbi State
The Niger State Police Command confirmed joint operations with the military, noting that “investigations and pursuit of the attackers are ongoing.”
State governments across the North have also taken precautionary steps.
Niger State ordered the closure of all boarding schools in the Niger North Senatorial District, while Kwara suspended schooling in four local government areas—Isin, Irepodun, Ifelodun and Ekiti. Plateau and Katsina have directed the immediate shutdown of public basic and secondary schools, citing security threats. Benue State’s chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers disclosed that dozens of schools remain closed due to long-standing attacks that displaced entire communities.
Security agencies have deployed personnel to affected communities, while the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has relocated to Kebbi State to coordinate search-and-rescue operations.
Upon arrival in Kebbi on Friday, Minister Matawalle held a strategic meeting with security chiefs to review intelligence and accelerate rescue operations.
Sokoto and Kebbi States have also announced strengthened security measures, including increased patrols and surveillance around schools as students prepare for end-of-term examinations.
The Northern States Governors’ Forum condemned the abductions, warning that continuous attacks on schools undermine efforts to reduce the number of out-of-school children in the region.
The Forum reaffirmed “its commitment to work with security agencies to reinforce school protection and encourage community vigilance.”
Meanwhile, the Niger State Government has criticised the management of St. Mary’s School for operating despite an earlier directive ordering the closure of boarding schools in the senatorial zone.
It said “a full investigation is underway and assured that search-and-rescue efforts remain active.”
The State Government also urged school owners, traditional rulers, community leaders, and the public to strictly follow all security advisories to protect lives, especially those of children.
Families in affected communities have continued to hold prayers while awaiting updates from security agencies, as operations intensify across the terrains where the victims were taken.