To Stem Pupils’ Abductions, Kaduna Closes Schools in Kajuru

To Stem Pupils’ Abductions, Kaduna Closes Schools in Kajuru

•Relocates scholars to safer schools

By John Shiklam

The Kaduna State Government has directed the closure of all public and private schools in Kajuru Local Government Area of the state following the abduction of pupils in the state.

The state government has also relocated pupils of schools prone to attacks by bandits to safer institutions.

A memo from the Zonal Education Office, Sabon Tasha, dated March 16 and addressed to all principals of public and private schools, directed that the schools should close in view of the prevailing security situation in the area.

The memo, which was signed by Ms. Abigail Adze for Director-General, Kaduna State Schools Quality Assurance Authority, reads:

“Following the frequent cases of kidnapping and other forms of security challenges going on in some towns and villages of Kajuru Local Government Area, the Director-General, Kaduna State Schools Quality Assurance Authority, has directed me to inform all principals and proprietors of both public and private schools in Kajuru Local Government Area to close down all schools with immediate effect (as from today 16th March 2021).

“No school should re-open until you are directed to do so. Be security conscious at all times.”

Meanwhile, THISDAY gathered that the state government has also relocated pupils of schools prone to attacks by bandits to safer schools.

It was gathered that pupils in vulnerable locations have been relocated to other schools to ensure that they continue with their academic activities.

For instance, pupils of Government Science Secondary School, Ikara, which was almost attacked by bandits on Saturday, have been relocated to Barewa College, Zaria.

The Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr. Samuel Aruwan, declined comments when contacted, saying that the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Shehu Makarfi, was in a better position to respond.

Makarfi was said to be at a meeting when contacted.

But a source in the Ministry of Education confirmed that some pupils have been relocated for safety reason.

“Yes, some schools in vulnerable areas have been relocated to other schools due to the security situation. This is to ensure that the students continue with their academic activities without interruption.

“I don’t know the number or names of the schools, but I can confirm to you that some vulnerable schools have been relocated to other schools”, the source said.

In the past one week, bandits have been targeting schools in the state for attack.

Last Thursday, 39 students of the Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation, Afaka, Kaduna, were abducted when bandits invaded the school at about 11:30 pm. The abducted students are still in captivity.

Security agencies also repelled bandit attack on Turkish International School, Rigachikun and Government Science Secondary School, Ikara.

The latest attack on schools occurred on Monday when bandits invaded LEA Rema village, Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of the state, abducting three of the teachers.

THISDAY learnt that the school has been abandoned by the pupils following the attack.

A resident of Birnin Gwari, Abubakar Birnin Gwari, told THISDAY in a telephone interview yesterday that pupils did not go to the school following Monday’s attack.

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