Katsina Schoolboys’ Kidnapping: Insecurity Prompts Nearby Zamfara State to Shut Schools

Following last weekend’s abduction of more than 300 boys in a government secondary school in Katsina state, the governor of Zamfara State Bello Matawalle, has ordered the closure of boarding schools in the state to prevent a possible abduction of students by bandits.

At a press conference in Gusau, the Zamfara state capital, the Commissioner of Education, Dr. Ibrahim Abdullahi, said the schools would remain closed until the security situation improves.

The affected schools, according to the commissioner are Government Secondary Schools in Zurmi, GSS Birnin Magaji, (boarding), and G.A.S.S Zurmi (boarding), G.G.S.S Moriki (boarding). Science Secondary School Shinkafi (boarding), Science Secondary School, Dansadau (boarding) and Science Secondary School, Bukkuyum (boarding).

Others are G.D. S. S Nassarawa Mailayi (day), G.D.S.S Gusami (day), and G.D.S.S Gurbin Bore, (day).

“We will not want what happened in Katsina to happen in Zamfara State. All the Principals of the affected schools have been directed to ensure immediate closure of the affected schools,” Abdullahi said during the conference.

“The security of our students is our utmost priority at the moment,” he added and called on parents as well as guardians to exercise patience and cooperate with the government.