More States Close Schools As Abduction Fears Spread

A day after announcing the shutdown of 41 Federal Unity Colleges due to escalating security threats, the federal government has debunked a viral message claiming that all schools nationwide had been instructed to close from 24 November 2025.

The Federal Ministry of Education, in a statement issued by its Director of Press and Public Relations, Folasade Boriowo, described the message circulating on social media as “false, misleading, and not issued by any arm of government”.

On Friday, the Ministry confirmed that 41 Unity Schools, located across the North-West and some parts of the North-Central, were to be closed temporarily following intelligence reports and advisories from security agencies.

Officials said the decision was taken as a precautionary measure after a rise in coordinated attacks and attempted incursions near school environments.

The directive, signed by the Director of Senior Secondary Education, instructed affected principals to “release students to their parents immediately and activate remote learning options where possible.”

It was against this backdrop that the fake nationwide closure notice began circulating online.

However, reacting on Saturday, the Ministry said no such national directive had been issued.

“The message currently circulating on social media platforms, alleging that schools nationwide have been directed to close from 24th November, 2025, is false and misleading,” Boriowo said.

“It did not originate from the federal government, the Federal Ministry of Education, any State Ministry of Education, or any recognised security agency.”

She urged the public to rely solely on official communication channels and warned against the dangers of spreading unverified claims.

“Any announcement or advisory coming from unofficial or unverified sources should be ignored and not shared,” she added.

 

Niger Shuts All Schools as CAN Confirms 315 Abducted in Catholic School

As the number of abducted students of St Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools, Papiri, in Agwarra Local Government Area of Niger State reaches 315, the state government has shut all public and private secondary and primary schools in the state.

A few parents, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to security concerns, said that the worst-affected were students in the nursery and primary sections.

Meanwhile, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger State chapter, has released the latest figure of abducted students, putting it at 315 as of yesterday afternoon.

The CAN chairman in Niger State, who is also the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, said it had been confirmed that the total number of victims abducted from St Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools, Papiri, is 303 students and 12 teachers.

“After we left the school at Papiri, we decided to make calls, conduct verification exercises and further enquiries on those we had thought escaped successfully, only to discover that 88 more students were also captured after they tried to escape.

“Our attention was drawn to this when some parents, whose children we had thought escaped from the attack, also came asking after their children. We became curious, and that was when we conducted a census and discovered that they, too, were abducted,” he said.

He stated that the total number of pupils and students in the school was 629, with the primary section having 430 and the secondary section 199.

On whether the school received a prior circular to close, he replied: “That is not true. We did not receive any circular; it must be an afterthought and a way to shift blame.

“In the past, around 2022, when we heard rumours of security challenges, we did not hesitate — we shut down immediately. Is it when there is a circular from the government asking us to shut down that we will now not obey?”

Explaining further, the Bishop said: “We asked the Education Secretary if he received a circular — he said no. Or if he was asked to send any to us, he said no. We asked if he was verbally informed, and he also said no. Let them tell the world who they gave the circular to, or through what channel they sent it.”

Most Rev. Yohanna also refuted claims that some Reverend Sisters had travelled to Abuja when the incident occurred.

“The school is owned by the Catholic Diocese and not by any individual. None of the Reverend Sisters travelled to Abuja, as alleged. Whoever made that misleading statement should know that it is false and should withdraw it or provide proof,” he stated.

A parent who preferred anonymity told LEADERSHIP Sunday: “We have been briefed not to make statements that will jeopardise rescue operations. This is not the first time we have alerted security agencies about bandits and evacuated our children. They never entered the area before, even when they operated in surrounding villages. This time, nobody got a hint they were coming.

“From what they showed us yesterday, when the Most Reverend Yohanna came, they entered through the nursery section at the back gate. Two of my children were involved. We are praying for God to protect them.”

Another parent from neighbouring Agwara town said: “Three of my children were among those abducted; they are aged 7 to 10. You know the school operates a boarding house for primary and nursery pupils. I am in pain; I don’t know how they are coping with heavily armed men. We pray for their safe rescue.”

Meanwhile, Niger State governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has ordered the closure of all public and private primary and secondary schools across the state.

He announced this after a stakeholders’ meeting in Minna, following the abduction.

Bago said that all Missionary Schools, Islamic Schools, and Federal Government Colleges had also been closed until further notice.

He further stated that all tertiary institutions in the Niger North Senatorial District, as well as vulnerable institutions in Niger East, which often witness bandit attacks, would also be shut down.

 

Adamawa Deboards Schools

Following a rise in school abduction cases, the Adamawa State Government has ordered the closure of public and private boarding schools across the state. The Commissioner for Education and Human Development, Dr. Umar Pella, stated that the closure aims to safeguard students.

The statement reads: “In light of the current security challenges facing the country, particularly the incidents in Niger and Kebbi states, it has been observed with great concern that the target of these perpetrators is boarding secondary schools.

“Considering this disturbing situation, I am directed by His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Adamawa State, Hon. Ahmadu Fintiri, to close all boarding schools in the state, both public and private. They should all operate as day schools for now. All principals and proprietors of public and private schools are required to deboard their respective boarding schools without further delay.”

Pella added, “This measure is temporary, aimed at ensuring student safety.”

 

Panic, Confusion in Imo College

Meanwhile, the directive by the Federal Ministry of Education, calling for the closure of Unity Schools across the country due to security challenges, had thrown parents and guardians of Federal Government Girls’ College, Owerri, Imo State, into panic and confusion, as they had least expected the order to affect the state.

When LEADERSHIP Sunday visited Federal Government Girls’ College, Owerri, parents and guardians were seen gathering their children’s belongings and making final arrangements for their departure from the school.

A parent, Mrs Regina Uzoukwa, urged the government to put mechanisms in place to secure the various schools. She called on the government to prioritise intelligence gathering, act proactively, and deploy security personnel across the various schools.

 

Parents Pick Up Children from FGC Ilorin

Parents and guardians of students at the Federal Government College (FGC), Ilorin, Kwara State, expressed mixed feelings as they collected their children following the school’s closure yesterday.

One of the parents, Mrs Ganiyat Olanrewaju, commended the government for prioritising the safety of students, describing the temporary closure as a necessary preventive step.

She, however, raised concerns about the long-term implications of the closure.

“Closure of schools is not sustainable because it will affect the academic programmes of our children. I urge the government to take drastic action in combating this menace (insecurity). They should deploy enough security operatives to protect these schools because these children are the future of this nation. Now we will need to get lesson teachers for them because they cannot sit at home doing nothing,” Mrs Olanrewaju said.

Another parent, Mrs Ramat Bola, questioned how criminal elements continue to obtain sophisticated weapons and security uniforms, urging the government to address possible internal sabotage.

“Government needs to fish out the mole in the army and other security agencies. Where do these criminals get sophisticated guns and police or army uniforms? I plead with the government to help tackle insecurity for the sake of these young children,” she said.

On the possibility of closing more schools in the state, the Chief Press Secretary to the Kwara State governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, said: “All I can tell you is that the governor, in collaboration with the security chiefs, will continue to do everything humanly possible to make our communities, including the schools, safe for all.”

 

Sokoto Shuts Colleges

In accordance with the Federal Ministry of Education directive, the managements of Federal Government Girls’ College, Tambuwal, and Federal Science College, Sokoto, have closed down the schools.

Parents whose wards were in boarding school went to the two institutions to evacuate their children, fearing the sudden surge in banditry attacks on boarding secondary schools.

However, normalcy remains at the Federal Government College, Sokoto, located in the heart of the metropolis.

One of the parents with two students at Federal Science College, Sokoto, commended the ministry’s timely decision.

Malam Abba Gwadabawa said, “The Federal Ministry of Education should be commended for their timely decision to close all Federal Colleges not in safe zones. I am sure every parent will be happy to have their children at home alive, pending when the situation normalises.”

Meanwhile, a government official hinted to our correspondent that the Sokoto State government is weighing the possibility of taking similar measures, particularly in schools located in banditry-prone areas.

 

All Activities Suspended in Plateau Schools

Plateau State Government has directed that no academic or administrative activities should take place in any school in the state until further notice.

A statement signed by the State Commissioner of Information and Communication, Hon. Joyce Ramnap, said the action follows emerging security concerns, particularly the kidnapping of students currently being witnessed in neighbouring states.

“While there is no cause for panic, the government considers it necessary to adopt proactive steps that guarantee the safety and well-being of students, teachers, and school personnel across the state.”

The statement appealed to parents, guardians, school administrators, and community leaders to remain calm, cooperate fully with directives, and share only verified information.

The “Time is Now” administration of Governor Caleb Mutfwang urged citizens to avoid spreading rumours or unverified reports that could lead to unnecessary tension.

She called on everyone to remain vigilant, law-abiding, and supportive of ongoing efforts to maintain peace across the state, assuring citizens that the situation is under control.

 

“Government remains committed to ensuring that peace, stability, and public safety are upheld.”

 

Similarly, the Plateau State Youth Council (PYC) has expressed deep concern over the recent surge in insecurity across the country.

 

According to the Council, these alarming cases of kidnapping and callous killings pose a serious threat to the safety and well-being of Nigerians, especially children and young people who remain the most vulnerable.

 

In a statement issued by its Public Relations Officer, Bahal Nanpyal, the PYC urged parents, guardians, and residents to heighten their vigilance, noting that early reporting can prevent harm and aid swift intervention by security operatives.

 

Our correspondent, who monitored the situation in Federal Government College Jos and Government Technical College Bukuru in Jos South LGA, observed that boarding students were seen leaving with their bags in compliance with the state government directive at the time of filing this report.

 

Kaduna Police Intensifies Security Around Schools

 

The Commissioner of Police, Kaduna State Command, Rabiu Muhammad, has embarked on a tour of schools and institutions—particularly rural boarding schools—as part of ongoing efforts to enhance security across the state.

 

A statement issued by the Command’s spokesman, DSP Mansir Hassan, said the CP promptly addressed the challenges by deploying additional police personnel to reinforce security within the school premises.

 

The vice-chancellor expressed appreciation for the swift and proactive response of the Command in strengthening the safety of students and staff.

 

The statement added: “This initiative is in line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, aimed at ensuring the protection of educational institutions nationwide.

 

“He emphasised that this will be a continuous exercise until all learning environments within the state are fully secured.”

 

Kebbi Schools Remain Shut

 

It was confirmed that Unity Schools in Kebbi State were closed down by the government following continued attacks by terrorists in and around the neighbouring areas.

 

A check by our reporter on Sunday morning at Unity Girls’ College in Birnin Kebbi metropolis found the main entrance gate locked.

 

When asked where the students were, the gateman, who requested anonymity, replied that all students had returned to their respective states of origin.

 

Due to long distances, many students had left the school compound early before the arrival of our reporter.

 

Speaking with the principal of Kanta Unity College, Argungu, under the Argungu Emirate, Malam Murtala Argungu stated that the college had been closed following a government directive.

 

“Our students, both near and far, have since left for their various states of origin from six o’clock in the morning,” Argungu added.

 

When contacted, the Commissioner of Basic and Secondary Education, Dr Halima Bande, declined to comment.