The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has directed all public senior secondary schools in Abuja, the nation’s capital, to shut down on or before Friday, November 28, citing urgent security concerns.
In a memo issued on Tuesday by Aishatu Sani Alhassan, director of school services at the FCT Secondary Education Board, and seen by Chronicle NG, principals and heads of schools were instructed to end all academic activities immediately and ensure students are dismissed “in an orderly and safe manner.”
The memo, titled “URGENT NEED FOR EARLY CLOSURE OF SCHOOLS DUE TO SECURITY CONCERNS,” directed schools to notify learners, staff, and parents; adjust scheduled activities; and prepare to resume on the next official school day unless new instructions are issued.
The notice comes amid rising attacks on schools across parts of the country.
On November 12, the federal government ordered all unity schools nationwide to close following attacks in Kebbi and Niger states.
On that day, 25 female students were abducted from Government Girls Secondary School, Maga, Kebbi State. According to a BBC report, two of the girls have escaped, quoting Hussaini Aliyu of Danko Wasagu LGA, who said they fled as they were being led into the bushes.
On November 21, the Niger State government announced that bandits abducted several students and staff from St. Mary’s School in Papiri, Agwara LGA. The Catholic Diocese of Kontagora said a total of 315 people — 303 students and 12 teachers — were taken.
