The Sokoto State Government has ordered the immediate closure of 16 boarding schools in the state following the rising insecurity challenges in the northwest region.
The State Government made the announcement in a statement issued by
Mohammed Bello, Special Adviser on Media to Aminu Tanbuwal, Governor of Sokoto State.
Bello stated that “the decision was reached after the 17th Security Council meeting on Wednesday, 16th December 2020 where the state government decided to close 16 boarding schools along its border communities”.
The schools were to be closed, temporarily for two weeks, he added.
Muhammad Bello Abubakar Guiwa, the State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education as lamenting on the security situation in the affected areas and the threats its portends.
The affected schools are: Government Girls Model Secondary School, Illela, Sultan Muhammadu Tambari Arabic Secondary School, Illela, Gamji Girls College, Rabah, Government Secondary School, Gada, Government Secondary School, Gandi and Government Secondary School, Goronyo
Others are Government Secondary School, Isa, Government Secondary School Sabon Birnin Gobir, Boarding Primary School, Isa, Boarding Primary School, Balle and Boarding Primary School, Jabo.
The remaining are UBE Junior Secondary School, Sabon Birni, Government Secondary School, Kebbe, Government Secondary School, Tureta, Government Technical College, Binji and Olusegun Obasanjo Technical College,
The statement further noted that the governor directed the Ministries of Basic and Secondary Education and Science and Technology to temporarily merge the students of the affected schools with those of other schools for the continuation of their studies pending the improvement in the security situation of the affected areas.
Principals of the affected schools, Bello said were directed to comply with the directive with immediate effect.
Sokoto State is one of the states in the northwest region that are facing serious terror attacks especially in Sabon Birni, Isa, Gudu, Goronyo, Rabah, Tangaza, Ilela, Gwadabawa and Tureta local governments.
Last month, a group of armed men invaded Deyeji village, killed several villagers and set many houses ablaze.
Sokoto State has joined states like Katsina, Kano, Zamfara, and Jigawa that have ordered the closure of boarding schools due to rising insecurity particularly after the last Friday attack by Boko Haram fighters on Government Science Secondary School in Kankara, Katsina State where over 300 schoolboys were abducted.
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