Katsina Shuts All Public Schools Amid Rising Banditry And Security Threats
The Katsina State Government has ordered all public schools in the state to shut down immediately in response to rising security threats and a surge in bandit attacks across multiple communities. The directive was announced on Friday by the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Yusuf Sulaiman Jibia, during a briefing with journalists in Katsina. Jibia said the government took the decision to ensure the safety of students and teachers as security agencies begin implementing a new statewide strategy aimed at strengthening school protection. He admitted that the closure comes at a time when students are writing examinations but emphasized that safeguarding lives is the government’s foremost priority. According to him, the shutdown is a temporary measure that will remain in place until a thorough security review is completed, particularly in locations classified as high-risk. Findings by The Nation showed that the move follows the recent abductions of schoolgirls in Kebbi and Niger States, an incident that has intensified fear among parents and authorities across the North-West. Jibia assured residents that schools will reopen once security assessments are finalized and adequate safety measures are put in place.
