Niger State Government has instructed the closure of all public and private schools which include primary and secondary schools across the state amid the rising number of insecurity in the state.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by the media aide of the governor, Bologi Ibrahim, on Saturday, that the directive came after a security meeting following the invasion of ST. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri was kidnapped, kidnapping 315 students and 12 teachers.
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Bologi’s statement reads, “Governor Bago stated this shortly after the security meeting with heads of security agencies following the recent kidnapping of School children at St Mary’s Catholic School Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area of the State.”
He further stated that all Missionary, Islamic Schools and Federal Government Colleges including FGC Minna, have also been shut down until further notice.
He, however noted that Tertiary Institutions in the state are not affected except for those in the defined vulnerable areas in the Niger North and East Senatorial Districts respectively.
“Governor Bago called on all heads of security agencies, Civil Society Organisations, the 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.”
He noted that his Principal described the incident as sad and unfortunate, adding that the overall mission is to see how the kidnapped children and other kidnapped victims will be rescued.
READ ALSO: Niger govt blames St Mary’s school for abduction, police, Catholic church react
“The number of children kidnapped from the St. Mary’s Catholic School has not been ascertained as the Department of State Service, Nigeria Police, and other security agencies are already carrying out a headcount to ascertain the actual figure”, Bologi added.
