Kidnapping: Niger State Government directs schools to re-open

The Niger state government has directed public schools in the state to reopen.

You would recall that all schools in the state, were shut down following the abduction of 27 students from the Government Science College, Kagara, Niger state.

The state commissioner for education, Hannatu Salihu made the statement on behalf of the state government.

She said schools with day students will resume on March 29, while boarding secondary schools in urban areas will reopen on April 6.

The state government, however directed that all the schools, must form a formidable Security team, comprising of School Officials, Security Personnel, PTA, SBMC and Vigilante with active community participation to allow for strong security presence in and around the Schools.

The released statement read: “All public day secondary schools are to reopen on Monday, March 29, 2021. All boarding secondary schools in urban areas are to reopen on Tuesday, April 6, 2021.” 

It further stated that “Low risk boarding secondary schools in rural areas that are to run as day schools during the period are also to reopen on Tuesday, April 6, 2021.”

“Public day secondary schools in areas of high risk that would run in clusters with selected safe schools in nearby communities would reopen on a later date to be announced after adequate arrangements are concluded.”

“Students from other communities in the boarding schools that would operate as day schools during the period would be moved to other boarding/day secondary schools in their localities.”

The statement reiterated that “All principals have been provided with specific details in respect of the arrangement under (1) – (4). Therefore, they are expected to work under and in collaboration with their zonal directors to ensure compliance in the light of the demands of current security realities.”

“All schools, especially those at high risk, would be provided with adequate security meant to enhance the capacity of the school system and security personnel to response to threats.

“To this end, every school must immediately form a formidable Security team, comprising of School Officials, Security Personnel, PTA, SBMC and Vigilante with active community participation to allow for strong security presence in and around the Schools.”