Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, has directed all public and private secondary schools in the state to immediately deboard their students following heightened insecurity across the country.
The announcement was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Augustina Godwin.
She noted that the growing security threats nationwide have increasingly made boarding schools vulnerable to kidnappers, citing the recent abductions of students in Kebbi and Niger states.
According to Godwin, the governor has mandated that all secondary schools operate strictly as day schools until further notice, and school heads have been ordered to ensure the deboarding process begins without delay.
“In light of the current circumstances, Governor Kefas has issued a directive requiring all secondary schools, both public and private, to function exclusively as day schools for the time being.
Principals and school owners have been advised to promptly arrange for the deboarding of all students,” the statement added.
She explained that the move is a preventive measure aimed at protecting students from possible security breaches amid rising unrest.
The Commissioner also assured parents that the government remains committed to restoring normalcy and is intensifying collaboration with security agencies to address the situation.
School authorities have been instructed to adhere strictly to the directive and strengthen security within their environments.
The development comes on the heels of another kidnapping incident on Friday, in which several students of St. Mary’s School, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, were abducted during a midnight attack.
While details remain sketchy, multiple sources confirmed to Daily Trust that a number of students were taken.
The attack occurred just days after terrorists kidnapped 25 students in Maga, Kebbi State, further deepening fears over worsening security threats facing schools across the region.
