Niger govt orders immediate closure of all schools over rising insecurity

Niger State Governor, Umaru Bago has ordered the immediate closure of all schools across the state following the abduction of students and teachers from St Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area.

Bago announced the directive on Saturday, during a press briefing after an expanded security meeting in Minna, describing the attack as both “unfortunate and avoidable.”

“This incident could have been avoided; however, it is not a time for a blame game,” the governor said. “Our mission today is to see how we can rescue these children and all those kidnapped alongside.”

He called on security agencies, civil society organisations, organised labour and religious leaders to unite and concentrate on rescue efforts, emphasising the state government’s commitment to protecting lives and property.

According to him, the closure affects all private and public primary and secondary schools, religious schools, the Federal Government College Minna, and the schools of nursing in Bida and Kontagora. The shutdown, he added, would remain in force until further notice.

Bago explained that the measure would also serve as an early Christmas break for schools in view of the rising security concerns.

He noted that the exact number of abducted pupils had not yet been confirmed, saying security agencies were conducting headcounts and that an official figure would be released later in the day.