•Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State
The Kwara State government has ordered the closure of more than fifty schools across five local government areas of the state.
The affected LGAs are Ifelodun, Ekiti, Irepodun, Isin and Oke Ero, reports Daily Trust.
The decision follows a renewed surge in bandit attacks in parts of the state.
Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Lawal Olohungbebe, said the move became necessary after security assessments warned that criminals fleeing pressure from ongoing operations could target schools.
Olohungbebe said the government acted to stop armed groups from using pupils as shields.
He said the safety of learners was the priority of the administration.
Government officials said the closure which includes boarding, will remain until the areas are declared safe.
Calls and a text message to the commissioner regarding the number of affected schools went unanswered last night.
Also, the chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Prof Abdulraheem Adaramaja, did not answer the several phone calls and a text message sent to him on the issue.
Before this latest closure, Adaramaja had announced during the Inter-Ministerial Press Briefing last month that the government had ordered the closure of 45 public schools across several communities following persistent bandit attacks in parts of the state.
However, a senior staff member of the ministry who spoke under anonymity said the affected schools were about 50.
“About 45 to 50 schools are affected, but I cannot give you the exact figures now,” the official said.
A former local government chairman in Ekiti who does not want his name in print said there are over 30 schools in Ekiti Local Government alone.
Ibraheem Abdullateef, senior special assistant to the governor on communications, had described the move as a proactive step.
He added that combined security forces had already begun operations to stabilise the affected zones.
He assured that the schools would reopen once security agencies give clearance.
The state’s Commissioner for Tertiary Education and Human Capital Development, Lawal Olohungbe, recently told our correspondent that the government was considering radio lessons for children in affected communities.
He said the government considered online learning but quickly realised that poor network connectivity in rural communities would limit its effectiveness.
“As good and desirable as online classes would have been, many of the core areas in Kwara North and other affected communities have network issues. This brings us to the second option, which is radio classes where we just make an announcement for children to be granted access to the radio for some specific hours. The state government is working on improving this situation,” he said.
The school closure came days after gunmen attacked a Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku.
Three worshippers were confirmed killed in the incident, with over 30 reported abducted and still in captivity.
Security agencies have since expanded surveillance around schools and public places.
The Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, told our correspondent in a telephone chat that normalcy has returned to Eruku with expanded security operations.
He said, “Additional deployments from Abuja are on their way as I speak with you now because of the importance the government attached to the matter.
“While the security operatives are still combing the bush for the captives, we have not heard anything yet about their rescue. But we shall get them by the face of God.”
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq had on Wednesday visited Eruku after the military moved into the community after the attack.
He told the church members that both the state and federal governments were working together to stabilise the area.
“Every necessary step is being taken to keep our people safe. The swift response has restored confidence and prevented any further escalation. We will not relent. Those threatening the peace of our state will be flushed out.
“The newly recruited forest guards who are undergoing training at Sobi Barracks will be deployed to the communities after the soldiers have left,” he said.
He urged residents to stay calm and to support ongoing security operations, adding that additional intelligence efforts were underway across border communities in Kwara South to involve local vigilante groups and traditional rulers.
