By Aliyu Usman, Birnin Kebbi
The Kebbi State Government has reaffirmed that the temporary closure of schools in communities affected by insecurity remains a necessary step to safeguard the lives of students, teachers and other education workers.
In a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Communication and Strategy, Abdullahi Idris Zuru, the government said the decision, which was taken about seven months ago, was based solely on prevailing security concerns and not political considerations.
The government maintained that protecting the lives of schoolchildren remains its top priority, adding that schools in the affected areas would only reopen when the security situation improves.
Government Warns Against Politicising School Closures
According to the statement, the state government alleged that there were attempts to encourage parents in affected communities to demand the immediate reopening of schools through social media campaigns and other channels.
The government said it would not allow political pressure or misinformation to influence decisions concerning the safety of students.
“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 said.
School Closures Linked to Security Concerns
The government noted that Kebbi State is not the only state facing disruptions to education due to insecurity, pointing out that some schools in parts of Northern Nigeria have remained closed for extended periods because of persistent security threats.
It stressed that the temporary closure of schools in vulnerable communities is intended to prevent attacks on students and teachers while security agencies continue efforts to restore normalcy.
Governor Idris Strengthens Security Measures
The statement highlighted several measures introduced by Governor Nasir Idris to improve security across the state.
These include the deployment of hundreds of operational vehicles and motorcycles, increased support for military personnel and mobile police units, as well as financial and logistical assistance to security agencies operating in the state.
The governor has also continued consultations with security chiefs, traditional rulers, academics, religious leaders and fellow governors to develop sustainable strategies for addressing insecurity.
Regional Collaboration to Address Insecurity
The government recalled that Governor Idris recently hosted a meeting of first-term APC governors where discussions focused on strengthening efforts to tackle insecurity while reaffirming support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
It also referenced the recent meeting of Northern governors and traditional rulers in Kaduna, where participants resolved to establish a Joint Security Fund to strengthen regional collaboration in combating insecurity.
According to the resolution, each participating state is expected to contribute ₦1 billion monthly to the initiative, which will be coordinated by former Chief of Army Staff, General Martins Agwai (Rtd), and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed.
Appeal for Public Support
The Kebbi State Government appealed to parents, community leaders and residents to continue supporting ongoing security efforts while exercising patience until conditions are considered safe for schools to resume academic activities.
The Bureau Journal reports that the government reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that students return to classrooms only when their safety can be adequately guaranteed.
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