Insecurity: Kaduna Govt Closes 13 Schools

BY SEGUN ADEBAYO – The Kaduna State government has ordered the immediate closure of 13 schools in various locations identified as being porous and prone to attacks by bandits and other criminal elements.

The move comes just hours after bandits attacked and abducted 140 students from Bethel Baptist High School, Kaduna.

The directive is contained in a memo issued by the Director-General of Quality Assurance Authority in the State Ministry of Education, Umma Ahmed, to proprietors of private schools.

Ahmed said the schools’ closure was with immediate effect and warned the respective schools’ authorities to ensure full compliance with the directive.

The Quality Assurance boss listed the affected schools as Faith Academy, along Kachia Road adjacent to Jakaranda; Deeper Life Academy, Maraban Rido; ECWA Secondary School, Ungwar Maje; and Bethel Baptist High School, Damishi.

Others include St. Peters Minor Seminary, Katari; Prelude Secondary School, Kujama; Ibiso Secondary school, Tashar Iche; Tulip International (Boys) School; and Tulip international (Girls) School.

Completing the list are Goodnews Secondary School; St. Augustine, Kujama; Comprehensive Development Institution (CDI), Tudun Mare; and Adventist College, Kujama.

The directive by Ahmed further said; “You are hereby advised to adhere to the contents of this letter as appropriate sanctions shall be meted out to schools that are found wanting for non-compliance, please.”

Meanwhile, hundreds of protesting women, including parents of kidnapped Bethel Baptist School students on Monday, blocked the ever-busy Kachia Highway in Maraban Rido, demanding definite action by both the Federal and Kaduna State governments to tackle the insecurity challenges across the State.

Expressing concerns over the incessant kidnapping of their children and wards, the women lamented that most disappointing is the government’s seeming lack of capacity to rein in bandits and criminals that have been terrorising the State in recent times.

According to reports, at about 3 pm on Monday, July 5, 2021, the women, in their numbers, took over the road by placing logs of wood and other materials to prevent vehicular movement to and from Kaduna city.

Calm was however restored around the area when a military convoy arrived at the scene to assist in opening the highway for commuters.