Area of north central Nigeria shuts schools over security issue

ABUJA, Nigeria – An area in Nigeria’s north central Niger state on Sunday ordered the closure of all schools due to a security issue.

In a statement, Danjuma Suleiman Nalango, chairman of the Wushishi local government area, said they received intelligence reports from security agencies that armed bandits were planning to attack Niger State Polytechnic and Government Girls Day Secondary School, both located on the outskirts of the town of Zungeru.

Nalango said high schools, middle and primary schools as well as the technical school in the region were closed down, adding the decision was taken to avoid a repeat of what happened in the Tegina region, where dozens were kidnapped from an Islamic school.

On May 30, one person was shot dead during the armed attack at the Salihu Tanko Islamic School. The attackers had released 11 abducted students because they were too young and could not walk very far.

One person was killed and 30 people were abducted in the last armed attack in Niger state on Nov. 16.

*Writing by Seda Sevencan