Governor Abubakar Bello-led government, on Sunday, noted that it is not sure of when boarding schools will be reopened in Niger State following the security issue in the state.
The Commissioner for Education, Hannatu Jibrin, stated this during the reunion and handing over of the kidnapped Kagara students to their families on Sunday.
Jibrin while speaking on the release of the abductees said the state government is meeting with the parents, teachers and other stakeholders to come up with a template for the reopening of the schools.
“The security challenge facing this state is huge and we have to ensure things are put in the proper place before we will think of reopening the school. I can’t say when they will go back to school or when it will be reopened but we will ensure that the SS3 students are kept in touch with, to see how we will manage them so that they won’t miss anything and still write the final examination. Schools and students are delicate, but we are talking to the parents and other stakeholders to come up with a template for the reopening of the school,” she said.
The Commissioner while encouraging the students called on them not to be moved by their experience, but should go back to society as better people and identify a path to see how they can get out of the trauma caused by their abduction.
Meanwhile, Governor Abubakar Bello of Niger State has dismissed reports that the state paid a ransom for the release of students abducted from Government Science College, Kagara.
Recall that bandits on February 17 invaded the school located in Rafi Local Government and abducted 27 students, 3 teachers, two non-teaching staff and 9 family members of the staff.