The Kebbi State Government has maintained that schools in communities affected by bandit attacks will not reopen until authorities are convinced that the security environment is safe enough for students and teachers.
The government, in a statement released on Thursday by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Communication and Strategy, Abdullahi Idris, said the closure of the affected schools about seven months ago was strictly a security measure and had no political motive.
“The affected schools will remain closed until the security situation permits their safe reopening. We will not compromise the lives of our students and teachers under any circumstances,” the statement said.
The administration also warned against efforts to turn the issue into a political matter, accusing the African Democratic Congress of using unnamed groups and online campaigns to pressure the government into reopening the schools despite existing security concerns.
“The safety of our children cannot be subjected to politics or blackmail. No amount of falsehood or pressure will make this administration compromise on the lives of innocent students,” the statement added.
According to the state government, safeguarding lives remains the top priority of Governor Nasir Idris’ administration, stressing that schools would only resume operations after security assessments confirm that conditions have improved.
The government noted that similar decisions had been taken in other parts of the North, including Borno State and other areas affected by insecurity, where some schools remained closed for extended periods.
It said the state had continued to strengthen security efforts through the deployment of hundreds of operational vehicles and motorcycles, increased presence of military personnel and mobile police officers, as well as financial and logistical support for security agencies.
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The statement added that Governor Idris had held consultations with security chiefs, traditional institutions, academics, religious leaders and other governors as part of efforts to find lasting solutions to the security challenges facing the state.
The government also highlighted the governor’s recent hosting of a meeting involving first-term APC governors, where discussions focused on strategies to address insecurity and support President Bola Tinubu and APC governors seeking second terms.
It further referred to a meeting involving northern governors and traditional rulers in Kaduna, where participants reached an agreement to create a joint security fund aimed at improving regional security efforts.
According to the statement, the proposed fund would be supervised by former Chief of Army Staff, Gen Martin Luther Agwai (retd.), and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Yayale Ahmed, with each participating state expected to provide N1bn monthly.
The Kebbi State Government urged parents, community leaders and residents to continue cooperating with security agencies and supporting efforts to restore peace.
“We ask parents and community leaders to continue supporting government efforts to restore lasting peace.
“Our goal is to reopen the affected schools as soon as it is safe to do so, but security must come first,” the statement said.