In response to growing security threats, the Kwara State Government has ordered the immediate closure of all schools in four local government areas, Isin, Irepodun, Ifelodun, and Ekiti LGAs. The drastic decision, announced on Wednesday, reflects a growing concern over the safety of students and teachers in communities increasingly exposed to violence.
The directive, made public through a circular by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Kwara State chapter, was signed by Chairman Yusuf Agboola. Agboola said the closure was carried out on the express instruction of the Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, citing “fresh security threats” in the affected parts of Kwara South.
The government’s move comes on the heels of a devastating bandit attack on a church in Eruku, Ekiti LGA. Reports indicate that at least three worshippers were killed and more than 35 people abducted, sparking outrage and deep fear throughout the region.
Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, responding to the crisis, visited the embattled community alongside security chiefs. He announced plans to lobby for the establishment of a Forward Operating Base of the Nigerian Army and a Mobile Police Squadron in Eruku, moves he argues are vital to deterring further attacks.
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In a separate but related announcement, Dr. Lawal Olohungbebe, the Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, said the school closures would continue “until further security clearance” is obtained.
The government’s strategy is part of a broader security clampdown. Officials argue that kidnappers may use schoolchildren as human shields during operations, a disturbing possibility that underscores the seriousness of the threat.
Beyond the four LGAs now on lockdown, Kwara has already shut down 45 public schools in other vulnerable communities, including Babanla, Baba Sango, Sangbe, and Oke-Ode, following repeated bandit incursions.
To mitigate the impact on teachers, the Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board (KWSUBEB) has redeployed educators from risky areas to safer schools, ensuring they still earn their salaries while the security situation improves.
In addition to the school closures, the state has abolished Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) levies in all public schools, a relief for families grappling with insecurity and economic strain.
Critics, however, warn that repeated closures risk undermining educational continuity. While acknowledging the necessity of protecting lives, parents and community leaders are calling for more long-term solutions and not just temporary suspensions.
As the state government awaits clearance from security agencies, students in the four LGAs remain at home, and many parents are left wondering when, or if normal schooling will resume.
