The Kebbi state government has announced the reopening of the Government Girls’ Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, months after 24 schoolgirls were abducted from the school.
The school was shut down in November after the abduction,
with the students later released following days in captivity.
Speaking on Tuesday during a media briefing after a security
meeting with principals and heads of secondary schools in Birnin Kebbi, the
state capital, Halima Muhammad-Bande, the commissioner for basic and secondary
education, said the government considered the school safe for reopening after
sustained counselling for affected students and parents, alongside the
deployment of security personnel to restore confidence.
“The victims have been rescued, and confidence has been
restored through counselling and adequate security presence. This has now paved
the way for the resumption of academic activities at Government Girls’
Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga,” she said.
Bande added that Nasir Idris, governor of Kebbi, has
directed that all necessary security measures be put in place to protect
students and staff across schools in the state.
She said the governor also approved security awareness
programmes for principals and school personnel to prevent a recurrence of such
incidents.
Bande explained that similar sensitisation sessions had
earlier been conducted in Zuru, Yauri, Jega, Bunza, and Argungu, with the
Birnin Kebbi meeting marking the final phase of the exercise.
The commissioner said school administrators, teachers, and
students all have critical roles to play in safeguarding school environments.
“We must not allow our collective psyche for peaceful living
to be taken away by bandits,” she added.
Bande noted that the forums were aimed at promoting
increased security consciousness and ensuring the smooth operation of schools
in a conducive learning atmosphere.
She also called on school authorities to strengthen ties
with their host communities, describing community members as indispensable
partners in ensuring a secure school environment.
The commissioner urged principals to maintain constant
engagement with security agencies for guidance on risk management and early
response to threats.
Bande also acknowledged the support of the Nigeria Police
Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the Department of
State Services for sensitising school heads on security awareness and
preventive measures.
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