The Bauchi State Government has ordered the immediate closure of all schools across the state following rising security concerns.
The directive affects primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions, including federal and privately owned schools operating within the state.
This was contained in a statement issued on Sunday in Bauchi by the Information and Public Relations Officer of the state Ministry of Education, Mr Jalaludeen Usman.
Usman said the decision was taken after wide consultations and in response to what he described as “overwhelming security concerns affecting the safety of students, teachers, and school communities.”
He quoted the government as saying that although the measure was difficult, it was necessary to safeguard learners and school personnel.
“The protection of our children remains our highest moral responsibility. Every student in Bauchi State deserves to learn in an environment that is safe, stable, and free from fear,” he said.
Usman urged parents, guardians, school proprietors, and other education stakeholders to remain calm, adding that the government was working with security agencies to address the situation.
“We therefore call on parents, guardians, and school proprietors not to panic but to remain cooperative. The government is working closely with security agencies to ensure that normal academic activities resume as soon as it is safe,” he said.
He also advised residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to relevant authorities, noting that timely information was vital for community safety.
Usman assured that the government would continue to provide updates as developments unfold.
The closure comes amid heightened tensions following recent abductions of secondary school students in Kebbi and Niger States, which have raised concerns among parents and education authorities across the northern region.
The Federal Government had on Friday announced the temporary closure of 41 unity schools over rising cases of student abductions nationwide.