DAMATURU, Yobe State — The Yobe State Government has ordered the immediate closure of all boarding secondary schools across the state as a precautionary step amid rising insecurity and fresh school attacks in parts of northern Nigeria.
The directive was announced on Saturday in a statement issued by Alhaji Mamman Mohammed, Director-General, Press and Media Affairs to Governor Mai Mala Buni, following a high-level security meeting in Damaturu involving the governor and heads of security agencies.
According to the statement, the decision was taken after a review of recent security breaches at schools in other states — including a spate of mass abductions that has renewed fears for student safety, particularly in boarding facilities.
Mohammed said the move is a proactive measure aimed at safeguarding students rather than a response to a specific incident within Yobe.
He added that Governor Buni urged residents to pray for leaders, security personnel, peace and improved security in both the state and the country at large, stressing that the protection of children remains a top priority of his administration.
Dr. Bukar Aji-Bukar, Permanent Secretary, Yobe State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, was quoted as saying that the closure is temporary and will remain in place “pending improvement of the situation.”
He directed principals of all affected boarding schools to ensure full and immediate compliance with the order, while working with parents and guardians to safely evacuate students from hostels.
The state government did not give a specific timeline for reopening but hinted that the measure would be reviewed regularly in line with security assessments from intelligence and security agencies.
In recent years, Yobe — like neighbouring Borno and Adamawa — has suffered attacks on schools linked to insurgent and bandit groups, prompting repeated shutdowns and heightened security around educational institutions. Parents and education advocates have frequently warned that repeated closures risk undermining learning outcomes and worsening dropout rates, but many acknowledge that the safety of students must come first.
For now, day schools are expected to continue operating under tightened security, while authorities monitor developments and adjust their response. The government has appealed for calm and cooperation from parents, school authorities and community leaders as it works with security agencies to prevent any attack on schools in the state.
