Niger Schools Reopen Weeks After Shutting Down over Insecurity

Laleye Dipo in Minna

Some private and public primary Schools in Niger State have reopened for academic activities weeks after being forcefully closed over insecurity.

Governor Mohammed Bago had in November directed the schools to be closed following the abduction of 230 primary/secondary school children and their teachers from St Mary’s Catholic Primary Secondary School, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area of the state.

The Ministry of Education, through Commissioner for Basic Education, Dr Asabe  Mohammed, a week ago, directed schools in safe areas of the state to reopen from Monday, January 12.

The directive, however, stated that all schools in Niger North Senatorial zone and some in Niger South should remain shut.

In most of the secure local government areas of the state especially Chanchaga, Bosso Munya, Suleja, Bida, Lapai, Agaie, Paikoro schools reopened for another academic exercises yesterday.

Chairman of Munya Local Government Area, Mr. Aminu Najume, confirmed the reopening of some schools in his local government area.

Najume attributed the reopening to improved security. He appreciated the state and federal governments for strengthening security in the area.

Najume said, “For now those schools within the town that are not prone to attacks have reopened today (Monday). We are working to ensure that we provide security for schools outside the local government headquarters, those within the villages.”

The information officer of Mariga Local Government Area, Alhaji Nura Salisu, confirmed that both private and public Schools in the area were closed according to the order from the state government.