Zamfara Government Refuses to Close Schools Despite Rising Abductions

The Zamfara State Government has announced that it will not shut down schools across the state despite heightened concerns over recent abductions and ongoing insecurity in parts of northern Nigeria.

The decision was disclosed by the Commissioner for Education, Wadatau Madawaki, following a security assessment involving education authorities and security agencies.

Madawaki explained that the state has adopted a strategy focused on strengthening security around schools rather than suspending academic activities. He emphasized that most public schools in Zamfara operate as day schools, a structure he says limits exposure to mass abductions that typically occur at night in boarding facilities.

According to him, keeping children in school is crucial, and a blanket shutdown would significantly disrupt learning and worsen the already fragile education system in the state.

However, the government admitted that not all areas are safe. Schools located in what are classified as “red zones”—communities with persistent bandit attacks—will remain closed until security improves.

For tertiary institutions that host boarding students, the state is considering extending academic breaks as an additional precaution.

Zamfara has been one of the states hardest hit by banditry in recent years, with repeated attacks on rural communities and previous mass kidnappings of students.

These incidents have left many parents fearful and have disrupted schooling for thousands of children. Education advocates and some community leaders have urged the government to prioritize safety, arguing that reopening or keeping schools open without adequate protection puts students at risk.

Madawaki assured the public that the state has introduced undisclosed security measures in collaboration with security operatives, emphasizing that revealing operational details could compromise their effectiveness.

He maintained that the government is committed to both protecting students and preventing the educational losses that accompany prolonged school closures.

As insecurity continues to challenge education across northern Nigeria, Zamfara’s refusal to shut down schools reflects a growing tension between safeguarding students and maintaining access to learning.

The effectiveness of the state’s enhanced security strategy will likely determine whether this approach can be sustained in the weeks ahead.