Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas has ordered the immediate shutdown of all public and private boarding secondary schools across the state due to the rising insecurity in the country.
The announcement was made on Monday by the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Augustina Godwin, who said the directive followed the increasing attacks and recent student abductions in Kebbi and Niger states.
According to her, boarding students have become soft targets, and the state government is taking proactive measures to prevent any similar incident in Taraba.
Dr. Godwin explained that all secondary schools will now operate strictly as day schools until further notice. She added that principals and school owners have been instructed to dismantle all boarding facilities immediately.
“This step is necessary to safeguard our children,” she said, adding that the directive is aimed at preventing any security threat linked to the ongoing unrest nationwide.
The state government reassured parents that it is working closely with security agencies and remains committed to restoring safety in the school environment. School authorities were also urged to fully comply and strengthen security within their premises.
The decision comes just hours after the Federal Government announced the temporary closure of 47 unity schools due to widespread security concerns.
In a circular signed by Hajia Binta Abdulkadir, Director of Senior Secondary Education, the ministry said the closures were approved by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, to prevent further security breaches.
Some of the affected federal schools are located in Zaria, Daura, Sokoto, Potiskum, Ikare-Akoko, and Abaji, among others.
Both state and federal authorities say the measures are temporary but necessary to protect students nationwide.
