Niger State Government has ordered the closure of all public and private primary and secondary schools in the state till further notice.
Governor Umar Bago stated this shortly after the security meeting with heads of security agencies following the recent abduction of school children at St. Mary’s Catholic School Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area of the State.
Bago said, additionally, all missionary, Islamic schools and federal unity colleges, including FGC Minna, have also been shutdown until further notice.
According to him, tertiary Institutions are not affected except for those in the defined vulnerable areas in Niger North and East Senatorial Districts respectively
The Governor further called on all heads of security agencies, civil society organisations, organised labour and religious leaders to focus on the rescue of the children and reiterated that the government will continue to protect the lives and property of its citizens.
While describing the incident as sad and unfortunate, Bago added that the overall mission is to see how the abducted children and other victims will be rescued.
Governor Bago said the number of children abducted from the St. Mary’s Catholic School has not been ascertained as the Department of State Service, Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies are already carrying out headcount to ascertain the actual figure. State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Most Reverend Bulus Yohanna has however put the figure of abducted persons at 315 including 303 students, and 12 teachers, comprising four females and eight males after a verification exercise and final headcount was carried out.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
