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.
