Zamfara, Kano shut all boarding schools over insecurity

Zamfara State Government has ordered the immediate closure of all boarding schools in the state.

Kano State Government has also closed 10 boarding schools operating in the state for fear of attack and kidnapping by bandits.

The directives came after over 300 students of the Government Girls Secondary School, Jangebe in the Talata-Mafara Local Government Area of the Zamfar State, were abducted by gunmen on Friday.

In a broadcast on Friday evening, Matawalle extended his sympathy to the families of the abducted girls, while assuring them of the commitment of the state government to ensure their speedy rescue.

“I wish to assure everyone that we are wholly committed to ensuring a speedy rescue of our dear schoolgirls and reuniting them with their families. Since when I received the sad news, I have been making contacts with the security agencies and other relevant individuals and groups towards rescuing these girls,” he said.

The governor also said, “Currently, police helicopters and other search-and-rescue operatives have been deployed to the area. Members of the public, and most especially the parents and guardians, would be kept informed of developments with regard to this all-important mission.

“As a father, I feel the pains of the parents and guardians of the abductees. My heart is with you at this moment and will always be with you throughout the rescue mission. I also want to use this opportunity to appeal to the parents and guardians to exercise more patience and continue to pray for the success of the ongoing rescue mission.

“As we are making efforts to strengthen security around our schools, I have directed the immediate closure of all boarding secondary schools across the state.”

He noted that the period was not the time to “trade blame”, adding that the recent twist in the spate of banditry had necessitated the need for the adoption of a uniform strategy across all affected states.

“Despite this seeming setback, my administration will ever remain focused on its strategy of disarmament. A single bullet in the hands of the non-state rogue elements could result in severe harm to the innocent. I am of the conviction that the large cache of assorted weapons recovered through the disarmament process has made Zamfara state safer, despite the recent unfortunate incidents,” Matawalle said.

He added, “We can only defeat this formidable challenge through a united response. Politics or any other difference should not stand in the way of the fight against insecurity.

“I appeal to the people of the state to remain calm and resist the evil machinations of those who would want to exploit the current situation to achieve political ends. I also call on people to be more security conscious and report any suspicious individual or activity to the relevant authorities.

“While we remain appreciative of the efforts by the federal government in the fight against banditry and other criminal activities in the state, I wish to appeal for more support towards combating this challenge, most especially with the new trend the challenge is assuming.”

Similarly, the Kano State Government has ordered the closure of 10 boarding schools in the state.

The state Commissioner for Education, Muhammad Kiru, said this in an announcement on radio stations in Kano on Friday night.

He said the decision became necessary as a result of the recent abduction of students from boarding schools in neighbouring states.

The closed schools are situated at Ajingi, Sumaila, Jogana, Kafin Maiyaki, Gaya, among other areas.

Kiru advised parents to evacuate their wards from all the affected schools.

Security operatives are currently on the trail of the gunmen in Zamfara, while President Muhammadu Buhari has warned bandits to desist from such attacks.

The abduction in Zamfara comes less than two weeks after bandits abducted students and staff members from Government Science College, Kagara in Niger State. And they are yet to be released.