Kebbi State Government has reopened the Government Girls’ Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, several months after the abduction of students forced the closure of the institution.
Gatekeepers News reports that the school was shut in November following the abduction of 24 schoolgirls, an incident that drew widespread concern over insecurity around schools in the state.
The students were later released after spending days in captivity, prompting the government to suspend academic activities at the school while security and psychosocial measures were reviewed.
Speaking on Tuesday in Birnin Kebbi after a security meeting with principals and heads of secondary schools, the commissioner for basic and secondary education, Halima Muhammad-Bande, said the decision to reopen the school followed extensive counselling for affected students and parents, as well as the deployment of security personnel.
“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 disclosed that Governor Nasir Idris has ordered the strengthening of security across public schools in the state, including improved surveillance and closer coordination with security agencies. She added that the Governor also approved security awareness programmes for school administrators and staff to reduce risks and improve early response to threats.
According to the commissioner, similar security sensitisation exercises had already been held in other parts of the state as part of broader efforts to protect schools and prevent a repeat of attacks that have disrupted education in parts of northern Nigeria.
She stressed that school safety is a shared responsibility involving administrators, teachers, students, security agencies, and host communities, urging school authorities to maintain regular engagement with security operatives and local leaders.
“We must not allow our collective psyche for peaceful living to be taken away by bandits,” she added.
Bande also acknowledged the role of security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the Department of State Services, in supporting school safety awareness and preventive measures across Kebbi State.
