Insecurity: Kogi Links Closure Of Schools To Intelligence Reports

Kogi State government on Tuesday ordered the shutting down of schools across the state, which it said was aimed at averting possible attacks on educational institutions.

The decision, which the commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, described as a preventive move, came amid heightened security concerns, including  kidnappings and other violent crimes in parts of the state.

Following the government’s directive, school authorities in Lokoja, the state capital, and its environs  have complied with the order.

When our correspondent visited schools in Lokoja metropolis, their gates were shut, while the classrooms were empty.

Recall that in May 2024, the abduction of 24 students of the  Confluence University of Technology, (CUSTECH), in Osara had taken the government and the university authority by surprise.

Since then,there have been increased cases of kidnappings in the state, particularly in Kogi West and some parts of the Eastern Senatorial Districts of the state.

Clarifying the issue, the commissioner said the move was based on credible intelligence and the need to strengthen security around schools to safeguard pupils, students, and teachers.

This clarification was coming against the backdrop of public outcry, after an abrupt closure of all schools, on Tuesday affecting both privately owned and government owned schools across the state, by the Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo led government.

The closure has come under heavy criticism, over what some citizens termed as lack of proper consultations and due diligence.

However, the commissioner explained that the decision was not borne out of panic, but of responsibility, stressing that the government chose to act proactively rather than wait for avoidable incidents.

According to him, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has directed all relevant agencies to immediately deploy necessary modalities to ensure that schools resume academic activities as soon as it is safe, so as not to disrupt the state’s academic calendar.

Fanwo commended the security agencies for their timely and actionable intelligence, noting that such cooperation underscores the effectiveness of the state’s security architecture.

He reassured the people of Kogi State that the government is fully on top of the situation, adding that security agencies are already working around the clock to identify, locate, and decisively deal with criminal hideouts.

“The safety of our children, teachers, and educational institutions remains non-negotiable. This administration will always prioritise lives while ensuring continuity in governance and education,” Fanwo said.