The Kwara State Government has ordered the immediate closure of schools across four local government areas following rising security concerns in affected communities.
The directive, issued by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Kwara State chapter, was communicated in an official circular released on Wednesday.
The circular, signed by NUT Chairman Yusuf Agboola, stated that schools in Isin, Irepodun, Ifelodun, and Ekiti Local Government Areas must remain closed until further notice.
According to Agboola, the shutdown was ordered by the Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development in response to fresh security threats in Kwara South.
“The decision was occasioned by the security challenges ravaging the area and the efforts of the government to control the situation. Treat this information as important and with the urgency it deserves, as it emanated from the ministry,” the circular read.
School administrators and teachers have been assured that further directives will be issued as authorities monitor the situation.
Attack in Ekiti LGA Triggers Heightened Alerts
The closure comes in the wake of a deadly attack on a church in Eruku, Ekiti LGA, on Tuesday night.
The assault claimed the lives of three worshippers and led to the abduction of more than 35 residents, heightening fears among locals.
In response, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq visited the community on Wednesday, where he announced plans to push for a Forward Operating Base of the Nigerian Army and a Mobile Police Squadron in Eruku to strengthen security operations.
The governor revealed that he had already engaged the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division and Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun on urgent measures needed to stabilize the region.
“It is indeed unfortunate what happened yesterday despite all the effort we have been making. Our main purpose here is to commiserate with the people of the community. All the security agencies are on this. The President had to cancel his trip to the G-20 because of this incident and that of Kebbi State. So the President is aware and we are on top of the situation,” Abdulrazaq stated.
Kebbi Authorities Release Names of Abducted Schoolgirls
Meanwhile, in Kebbi State, the Chairman of Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area, Hussaini Aliyu, has released the names of students abducted during the attack on Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga.
The victims include students from Senior Secondary School (SSS) and Junior Secondary School (JSS) classes:
SSS 2A:
Fatima Sani Zimri, Hafsat Ibrahim, Nana Firdausu Jibril, Masauda Yakubu Romo.
SSS 2B:
Hauwa Saleh, Hauwau Umar Imam.
SSS 3A & 3B:
Salima Garba Umar, Salima Sani Zimri, Amina G. Umar, Rashida Muhammad Dingu, Saliha Umar, Aisha Usman, Jamila Iliyasu, Maryam Illiyasu, Najaatu Abdullahi, Zainab Kolo.
JSS 3A:
Surraya Tukur, Hafsat Umar Yalmo, Maryam Usman, Amina Illiyasu, Ikilima Suleman.
JSS 2:
Khadija Nazifi, Hauwa’u Iliyasu, Hauwa’u Lawali, Ummu Kulsum Abdulkarim.
