Nigeria reopens 47 schools closed after November abductions
The Nigerian government has announced the reopening of 47 federal unity schools that were closed in November due to a series of abductions targeting educational institutions in parts of the country.
According to a statement issued by the spokesperson for the Federal Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo, academic activities have fully resumed in all the previously affected schools. The statement confirmed that this resumption follows improvements in the security arrangements around the school premises.
“The Federal Ministry of Education assures parents, guardians, and the general public that the safety, welfare, and well-being of students remain a top priority,” the ministry stated. It also emphasised that the federal government remains committed to protecting the rights of every Nigerian child to access education in a secure environment.
Although the statement did not specify the exact date when the schools resumed operations, it noted that many students are now concluding their December academic programmes, while others have completed their examinations.
The ministry reiterated that it continues to collaborate with relevant security agencies to ensure sustained stability in school environments across the nation.
The closures were prompted by a series of coordinated abductions between 17 and 23 November. During this period, armed groups kidnapped over 300 students and 38 church congregants in northern Nigeria.
Among the incidents, at least 25 schoolgirls were taken from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State, northwestern Nigeria, with one girl reported to have escaped from the abductors.
Subsequently, more than 100 pupils and teachers were abducted from St Mary's School in north-central Nigeria’s Niger State.
In response, several neighbouring states temporarily shut down schools within their territories. The federal government later secured the release of 100 abducted individuals on 7 December. However, some pupils remain in captivity.
The resurgence of mass school abductions—more than a year after the previous major incident in March 2024—has been attributed to various factors.
Authorities link the renewed attacks to a recent statement from the United States threatening military action over alleged “mass killing of Christians”, which the government says may have triggered retaliation from armed groups.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
