Insecurity: Kaduna Government Postpones School Resumption, Commends Military Operations

The Kaduna government has postponed the resumption of schools in
the state over an ongoing “security operation”.

The government had ordered the closure of public and private
schools on July 15 to enable it review the 2020/2021 academic
calendar.

The government subsequently fixed August 9 for resumption of
normal school activities.

But in a statement issued on Friday, jointly signed by Samuel
Aruwan, commissioner for internal security and home affairs, and
Shehu Muhammad, commissioner for education, the government said the
resumption date is no longer feasible based on the advice by
security operatives.

The government also ordered that the execution of infrastructure
projects in high-risks areas be discontinued.

The commissioners said the new date for school resumption will
be announced based on security assessment.

“As the security operations proceed, the Kaduna state government
has been advised to postpone the resumption of schools, previously
scheduled for 9th August 2021, and to pause the continuation of
infrastructure projects and construction in high-risk areas, while
awaiting further assessments by the security agencies,” the
statement reads.

“The Kaduna state government has accepted the security advisory,
and hereby directs total compliance by all schools, and agencies
involved in delivering infrastructure projects in high-risk
areas.

“New dates for school resumption will be announced based on
security assessments.”

The government commended security operatives for flushing out
criminal elements around the Kaduna/Niger/Katsina/Plateau and
Zamfara boundaries, and asked that the operations be taken to newly
identified hideouts.

In recent times, schools in Kaduna have been targeted by gunmen
who kidnap schoolchildren.

Recall how 13 schools were closed in July, after some students
were declared missing when gunmen attacked Bethel Baptist High
School in Damishi, Chikun LGA of the state.

The Kaduna government has postponed the resumption of schools in
the state over an ongoing “security operation”.

The government had ordered the closure of public and private
schools on July 15 to enable it review the 2020/2021 academic
calendar.

The government subsequently fixed August 9 for resumption of
normal school activities.

But in a statement issued on Friday, jointly signed by Samuel
Aruwan, commissioner for internal security and home affairs, and
Shehu Muhammad, commissioner for education, the government said the
resumption date is no longer feasible based on the advice by
security operatives.

The government also ordered that the execution of infrastructure
projects in high-risks areas be discontinued.

The commissioners said the new date for school resumption will
be announced based on security assessment.

“As the security operations proceed, the Kaduna state government
has been advised to postpone the resumption of schools, previously
scheduled for 9th August 2021, and to pause the continuation of
infrastructure projects and construction in high-risk areas, while
awaiting further assessments by the security agencies,” the
statement reads.

“The Kaduna state government has accepted the security advisory,
and hereby directs total compliance by all schools, and agencies
involved in delivering infrastructure projects in high-risk
areas.

“New dates for school resumption will be announced based on
security assessments.”

The government commended security operatives for flushing out
criminal elements around the Kaduna/Niger/Katsina/Plateau and
Zamfara boundaries, and asked that the operations be taken to newly
identified hideouts.

In recent times, schools in Kaduna have been targeted by gunmen
who kidnap schoolchildren.

Recall how 13 schools were closed in July, after some students
were declared missing when gunmen attacked Bethel Baptist High
School in Damishi, Chikun LGA of the state.