Zamfara Rejects School Closures, Introduces New Security Measures Amid Rising Insecurity

Despite the surge in school abductions and widespread closures across northern Nigeria, the Zamfara State Government says it has no plans to shut down schools. Instead, it is adopting reinforced security measures to protect learning centres and keep students in classrooms.

The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Wadatau Madawaki, made this known at an event organised by the Federated Association of Zamfara State Students in Gusau.

Madawaki’s comments come in the wake of the abduction of 25 students from Government Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State, and the kidnapping of over 300 students and staff from St Mary’s Catholic School in Niger State. These attacks have triggered mass school closures in several northern states — but Zamfara says it is taking a different approach.

‘We Will Not Close Schools’ — Zamfara Govt

Madawaki said the state has taken steps, in collaboration with security agencies, to ensure safety in schools, although he declined to disclose specific strategies.

“When you talk about security, you do not disclose your actions to the media.
But we have taken steps to safeguard the interests of our students,”
he said.

He added that schools are operating under full security supervision, with ongoing support from all security agencies.

“We believe nothing will happen, and our education will continue to flourish until the end of the academic term,” he said.

Why Zamfara Is Avoiding Mass Closures

The commissioner noted that many states shutting down schools operate boarding school systems, which are more vulnerable to night attacks.

Zamfara, he said, currently operates mostly day schools, reducing exposure to nighttime raids.

“Bandits often strike at night when people are asleep. Here, we are yet to resume our boarding system. Our schools run during the day,” he explained.

He added that schools located in high-risk areas remain closed for now.

Tertiary Institutions on Extended Break

Madawaki said some tertiary institutions — including the state university, polytechnic, and college of education — will have their holidays extended to January due to their boarding systems.

“We want to assess the situation before they return,” he said.

A Region Stricken by Abductions

Since last week, multiple states have suffered major school attacks:

• Kebbi State: 25 schoolgirls abducted after gunmen attacked a secondary school and killed a staff member.
• Niger State: 303 pupils and 12 teachers kidnapped from St Mary’s Catholic School; about 50 pupils have escaped.

In response:

• Katsina closed all public schools.
• Taraba converted all secondary schools to day schools.
• Plateau shut down basic schools.
• Kebbi closed nearly all secondary and tertiary institutions.
• Bauchi ordered the immediate closure of schools across all levels.
• The Federal Government shut 47 Unity Colleges nationwide.

UNICEF condemned the attacks, while religious and community leaders expressed shock at the scale of the incidents.

Tinubu ‘Depressed’, Orders Defence Chiefs to the Frontline

President Bola Tinubu, describing the abductions as “depressing,” cancelled scheduled trips and directed service chiefs to relocate to the affected states and lead rescue operations.

He stressed that securing the abducted children is now “a national priority”, vowing that the government “will not relent.”