Breaking News: Jigawa State Shuts Down Schools Over Security Scare

By Mohammed Abubakar, Dutse

Amidst reports of possible bandit attacks, the Jigawa State government has hurriedly ordered the immediate closure of all public schools in the state.

The development is coming as all the schools in the state, (both public and private) are scheduled to round off their terminal examinations on Friday.

Students rushing out from school as report of possible bandits attack spreads on Wednesday. Photo credit: OPTIMUM TIMES

However, Optimum Times gathered that some of the students who are currently taking their National Examinations Council, (NECO) are also expected to round off within the week. The two subjects remaining are Hausa and Civic Education.

The schools are officially expected to proceed on their third term break on Friday August 19 and resume their academic activities for the 2023 academic session on September 19.
The unexpected closure has caused apprehension and panic among residents and students, especially those who are no on residents of the state capital.

The state commissioner for education, science and technology, Dr. Lawan Yunusa Danzomo, who confirmed the closure to newsmen on Wednesday said the action was to forestall any possible security breach.

According to him, the state government took the action in view of the intelligence reports of possible attacks on schools nationwide, not just Jigawa state.

He added that Jigawa’s case has become more important given that it is one of the states that is border fringes with some neighbouring African countries where activities of bandits are very pronounced.

Danzomo, who acknowledged that students were taking their examinations said the security of the lives of the students was more paramount. He argued that being internal examinations, all the remaining papers could be re-juggled and taken at a later date.

But a primary school headmaster in one of the schools in Dutse, the state’s capital, said, “We are asked to shut down and release the students immediately.”