KADUNA: Govt orders closure of all schools in Kajuru LGA

IN what appears to be a proactive measure likely informed by intelligence reports from security operatives in the state, the government has ordered the closure of all public and private schools in Kajuru LGA of the state.

The development was contained in a memo released by the zonal education office, Sabon Tasha.

The memo, dated March 16, was addressed to all principals of public and private schools.

It directed that the schools should close due to the prevailing security situation in the area.

A memo signed by Abigail Adze, read, “The director-general, Kaduna state schools quality assurance authority has directed me to inform all Principals and Proprietors of both public and private schools in Kajuru local government area to close down all Schools with immediate effect. (as from today 16th March, 2021).” 

“No school should re-open until you are directed to do so. Be security conscious at all times,” it added.

Kaduna has been under siege from badits recently.

The bandits indiscriminately abduct students and staff of schools in the state.

Last week, 39 students were abducted when gunmen invaded the Federal College Of Forestry Mechanisation in Afaka, Igabi LGA of the state.

The abducted students were seen in a viral video days after, pleading for their lives and asking the government to quickly secure their release by paying the N500m ransom demanded by their abductors.

They said the government should not contemplate sending troops to rescue them as their abductors had warned them such a move would be counterproductive.

Early this week, Nigerians woke up to the news of another abduction in Kaduna as  gunmen attacked UBE primary school at Rama in Birnin-Gwari LGA of the state and abducted some pupils.around 8:50am.

The UBE primary school incident was two days after troops of the Nigerian army reportedly foiled the attempt by bandits to abduct some students of Turkish International Secondary School in Kaduna.

But despite the spate of abductions, Governor Nasir El-Rufai has insisted he would not negotiate with bandits, adding that any bandit caught would be killed.

Meanwhile, there are also unconfirmed report that as part of the government’s proactive measures to forestall another round of abductions, some schools in vulnerable areas of  the state have been relocated to continue with their academic activities.

It was learned that the Government Science Secondary School, Ikara, which was almost attacked by bandits on Saturday, has been relocated to Barewa College, Zaria.