Kankara: Kano, 4 other northern states that have closed schools over insecurity

The recent abduction of schoolboys in Kankara local government area of Katsina by the dreaded Boko Haram sect has again renewed the panic over rising insecurity in the northern region.

It would be recalled that schoolboys were abducted on Friday, December 10, in what has struck a big blow on the face of efforts by the government across levels towards the fight against terror in the northeast and northwest regions.

In a video released by the Boko Haram which was first published by Ahmed Salkida's HumanAngle, the sect leader Abubakar Shekau boasted that the students were kidnapped "to promote Islam and discourage un-Islamic practices of Western education."

Boko Haram's announcement makes the abduction of the pupils the group's first major operation in northwest Nigeria, as it has in the past mostly restricted its operations to the northeast of the country.

Meanwhile, many states have shut down all the government and private-owned schools amid rising scare of Boko Haram attack.

Legit.ng highlights states that have closed schools as the Kankara abduction continues to generate a vortex of reactions across the country and on social media.

1. Katsina Following the abduction in Kankara, all boarding secondary schools in the Katsina state were closed for security reason.

The governor of Katsina state, Aminu Masari, gave the directive for the closure of the schools on Saturday, December 12.

“The situation goes beyond one’s thinking. It’s a sad moment for Katsina, I am assuring parents of the missing students we will do anything humanly possible to rescue the children, it’s our responsibility to protect lives and properties."2. KadunaAlthough the Kaduna state governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, attributed the closure of all public and private schools to the rising case of COVID-19, the recent abduction has unarguably raised fear among neighbouring states to Katsina.

3. KanoOn Tuesday, December 15, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje ordered the closure of all public and private schools in the state.

In a terse statement sent to journalists and seen by Legit.ng, the governor also asked parents to evacuate their wards from schools.

The statement which was signed by the state commissioner for education, Sanusi Kiru, was silent on why the decision was hastily taken.

4. ZamfaraZamfara, apparently a northern state getting out of the fear of banditry and kidnapping, has also shut down all schools.

The state’s commissioner for education, Ibrahim Gusau, said the closure was to forestall any breakdown of law and order, adding that 10 schools in council areas sharing borders with Katsina will be closed, Premium Times reports.

The affected schools are:

G.S.S. Tsafe (Raka boarding)

G.S.S Birnin Magaji (Boarding)

Science Secondary School Shinkafi (Boarding)

Science Secondary School Dansadau (Boarding)

Science Secondary School Bukkuyum (Boarding)

G.D.S.S. Nasarawa Mailayi(Day)

G.D.S.S. Gusami (Day)

G.A.S.S. Zurmi(Boarding)

G.D.S.S. Gurbin Bore (Day)

G.G.S.S. Moriki (Boarding)

5. Jigawa: Without stating any reason, the government of Jigawa also announced the closure of schools in the state.

The acting permanent secretary, ministry of education, Rabiu Adamu, said the development “is with immediate effect.”