Kebbi insists schools will remain closed in bandit-hit areas

The Kebbi State Government has said schools closed in communities affected by banditry will remain shut until security improves.

The government said the decision, taken about seven months ago, was based solely on security considerations and would not be reversed until the safety of students and teachers can be guaranteed.

This was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Communication and Strategy, Abdullahi Idris

“The affected schools will remain closed until the security situation permits their safe reopening. We will not compromise the lives of our students and teachers under any circumstances,” the statement said.

The government also warned against politicising security issues.

“The safety of our children cannot be subjected to politics or blackmail. No amount of falsehood or pressure will make this administration compromise on the lives of innocent students,” the statement added.

The government maintained that protecting lives remained its foremost responsibility, stressing that schools would only reopen when the security situation permits.

It noted that Kebbi was not the only state facing such challenges, adding that schools in Borno and several other northern states had experienced prolonged closures due to insecurity.

According to the statement, Governor Nasir Idris has intensified efforts to tackle insecurity by deploying operational vehicles and motorcycles, strengthening the presence of military personnel and mobile police officers, and providing logistical support to security agencies.

The government added that the governor had also engaged security chiefs, traditional rulers, academics, religious leaders and other governors in consultations aimed at finding lasting solutions to the crisis.

It further said northern governors and traditional rulers recently met in Kaduna and resolved to establish a Joint Security Fund to strengthen regional efforts against insecurity.

According to the statement, the proposed fund will be coordinated by former Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Martins Agwai (retd.), alongside former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Yayale Ahmed, with each participating state expected to contribute ₦1 billion monthly.

The government appealed to parents, community leaders and residents to continue supporting security operations and ongoing efforts to restore peace.

“We appeal to parents, community leaders and patriotic citizens to continue supporting government efforts aimed at restoring peace and ensuring the safe reopening of schools when it is secure to do so,” the statement said.