Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Kebbi State Government has firmly restated its position that schools in parts of the state affected by banditry will remain closed until security improves, declaring that the safety of students and teachers is not negotiable and cannot be subjected to political blackmail or pressure from opposition groups. The government's position, conveyed in a statement issued on Thursday, 9 July 2026, by the Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Abdullahi Idris Sadaukin Zuru, comes amid growing calls for the reopening of schools in the affected areas, which the government has dismissed as politically motivated attempts to compromise the safety of innocent children.
According to the government, the closure of schools in bandit-prone areas, which was implemented approximately seven months ago, was a direct response to persistent security challenges rather than a political decision. The statement noted that Kebbi is not alone in this predicament, pointing out that schools in Borno and several other northern states have remained closed for periods ranging from two years to two decades due to insecurity. The government emphasised that the decision was taken to protect lives and that no amount of falsehood or pressure would make the administration compromise on the safety of innocent students.
The government also accused the African Democratic Congress (ADC) of attempting to exploit the situation for political gain. According to the statement, the ADC, working through faceless groups and social media campaigns, has been trying to incite parents in affected areas to demand the immediate reopening of schools. The government warned that such tactics would not succeed and called on parents, community leaders, and patriotic citizens to continue supporting government efforts aimed at restoring peace and ensuring the safe reopening of schools when it is secure to do so.
Governor Nasir Idris has taken concrete steps to address the crisis, deploying hundreds of vehicles and motorcycles, increasing military and mobile police presence, and providing financial and logistical support to security agencies. The Governor has also engaged stakeholders, including security chiefs, traditional rulers, academics, religious leaders, and fellow governors, to develop lasting solutions. Last week, Governor Idris hosted a meeting of first-term APC governors to strategise on curbing insecurity and reaffirmed support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the governors for a second term. Following that, northern governors and traditional rulers held an expanded security meeting in Kaduna and resolved to establish a Joint Security Fund, which will be chaired and managed by former Chief of Army Staff, General Martin Agwai, and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed, with each state contributing ₦1 billion monthly to confront insecurity collectively.
The government's latest position comes amid conflicting reports on the status of schools in the state. In June 2026, the Kebbi State Police Command dismissed rumours of school closures, describing the reports as false and urging the public to disregard unfounded speculation. The police spokesperson, SP Bashir Usman, had stated that academic activities were continuing as scheduled across the state, with students resuming for the new term and graduating students safely sitting for the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE). However, the government's current statement appears to reaffirm that schools in areas directly affected by banditry remain closed, while academic activities may be proceeding in safer parts of the state.
The decision to keep schools closed in bandit-hit areas reflects a broader crisis across northern Nigeria, where armed groups have increasingly targeted educational institutions for mass abductions and ransom. In November 2025, bandits invaded the Government Girls' Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State, killing the Vice Principal and abducting 25 students. The incident triggered widespread outrage and led to the closure of schools across the state. Although the school was later reopened in January 2026 after security was beefed up, the threat of further attacks has persisted.
The Kebbi State Government has made it clear that it will not bow to pressure to reopen schools in areas where the security situation remains volatile. As the statement from the Governor's office put it: "The safety of our children cannot be subjected to politics or blackmail". For now, the message from Birnin Kebbi is unequivocal: no child will return to the classroom until it is safe to do so.
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