The Kebbi State Government has announced the reopening of the Government Girls’ Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, months after the abduction of 24 students from the institution.
Naijaonpoint recalls that the school was shut down in November following the attack, while the kidnapped students were later released after spending several 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, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Halima Muhammad-Bande, said the government had concluded that the school was now safe for academic activities to resume.
According to her, the decision followed sustained counselling for the affected students and their parents, as well as the deployment of security personnel to reassure the school community.
“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.
Muhammad-Bande disclosed that Governor Nasir Idris had directed that all necessary security measures be put in place to protect students and staff across schools in the state.
She added that the governor also approved security awareness programmes for principals and other school personnel as part of efforts to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.
The commissioner explained that similar sensitisation programmes had earlier been held in Zuru, Yauri, Jega, Bunza and Argungu, noting that the Birnin Kebbi meeting marked the final phase of the exercise.
Muhammad-Bande stressed that school administrators, teachers and students all have important roles to play in ensuring the safety of learning environments.
“We must not allow our collective psyche for peaceful living to be taken away by bandits,” she said.
She noted that the sensitisation forums were designed to promote heightened security consciousness and ensure the smooth operation of schools in a safe and conducive atmosphere.
The commissioner urged school authorities to strengthen collaboration with their host communities, describing residents as critical partners in safeguarding schools.
She also called on principals to maintain constant engagement with security agencies for guidance on risk management and early response to threats.
Muhammad-Bande commended the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Department of State Services for their support in sensitising school heads on security awareness and preventive measures.