BY : Chinasaokwu Helen Okoro
Panic in Kwara as Nigeria Shuts Schools Across Five LGAs Amid Escalating Insecurity
Nigeria has ordered the immediate closure of schools across five local government areas in Kwara State as authorities race to contain rising insecurity and protect vulnerable students from potential attacks. The shutdown affects all schools—public and private—in Ifelodun, Ekiti, Irepodun, Isin, and Oke Ero LGAs, marking one of the most sweeping emergency education measures the state has taken in recent years.
Announcing the decision in Ilorin, the state’s Commissioner for Education, Lawal Olohungbebe, said the move became necessary following new intelligence reports and expanding military operations in the region. According to him, security agencies have intensified pursuit of armed groups believed to be operating around the affected districts, and keeping schools open at such a time would pose unacceptable risks.
Olohungbebe explained that the government did not want a situation where criminals exploit schoolchildren as shields while fleeing from ongoing military operations. “The safety of our students remains our top priority. We cannot allow any loophole that endangers their lives,” he said, urging parents to remain calm while security teams work round the clock to restore normalcy.
The order comes just days after gunmen stormed a church in Eruku, located in Ekiti Local Government Area, sending shockwaves across Kwara communities and deepening fears of a broader security breakdown. Though details of the church attack remain sketchy, the incident prompted authorities to expand surveillance and tighten security in neighbouring local governments.
In Irepodun LGA, education officials directed all boarding schools to shut their dormitories with immediate effect after security reports suggested they could become soft targets. School administrators were instructed to evacuate students to their families and await further directives.
Residents say the closures, though unsettling, reflect growing anxiety over the spread of violent attacks across Northern Nigeria. The situation worsened earlier this week when armed men invaded Maga Comprehensive Girls’ Secondary School in Kebbi State, abducting no fewer than 25 students. A teacher and a security guard were reportedly killed during the raid, sparking national outrage and prompting calls for stronger security around schools.
Local leaders in Kebbi claimed the attack occurred shortly after soldiers allegedly withdrew from a nearby checkpoint—an allegation that has raised fresh questions about security lapses and coordination among security agencies. Police authorities have yet to issue an official statement on the incident, further fuelling public frustration.
Back in Kwara, communities in the affected LGAs have been on edge, with many residents fearing that armed groups fleeing intensified operations in neighbouring states might be attempting to infiltrate the region. Military and police patrols have been sighted in several rural corridors, while local vigilante groups have increased night watch activities.
Authorities emphasized that the school closures are temporary but insisted they will remain in place until security agencies conclude their assessments and certify the environment safe for teaching and learning to resume. “We understand the disruptions this may cause, but lives come first,” Olohungbebe reiterated.
Parents across the affected areas have expressed mixed reactions. While many acknowledge the necessity of the shutdown, some worry about the long-term impact on students, especially those preparing for examinations. Education advocacy groups have urged the government to provide alternative learning options should the situation persist longer than expected.
As Nigeria continues to battle widespread insecurity—from rural banditry to school abductions—the Kwara shutdown underscores the fragility of safety in many northern communities. For now, hundreds of schools remain silent, waiting for the day security forces declare the region safe enough for children to return to their classrooms.
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