The Kwara State Government has ordered the immediate closure of schools in four local government areas following rising security concerns.
The directive, announced on Wednesday by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in a circular signed by Chairman Yusuf Agboola, affects schools in Isin, Irepodun, Ifelodun, and Ekiti local government areas. Schools are to remain closed until further notice.
Agboola said the decision, issued by the Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development, followed recent security threats in the region. “The decision was occasioned by the security challenges ravaging the area and the efforts of the government to control the situation,” the circular read. School authorities were assured that further instructions would be provided as the situation develops.
The closure follows a deadly attack on a church in Eruku, Ekiti Local Government Area, on Tuesday night, which left three worshippers dead and over 35 people abducted.
Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq visited the community on Wednesday, pledging to request a Forward Operating Base of the Nigerian Army and a Mobile Police Squadron in Eruku to strengthen security.
He said he had consulted with the General Officer Commanding, 2 Division, and the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to ensure urgent measures were taken.
“It is indeed unfortunate what happened yesterday despite all the efforts we have been making. Our main purpose here is to commiserate with the people of the community. All the security agencies are on this,” Governor Abdulrazaq said. He also noted that President Bola Tinubu had cancelled a G-20 trip to monitor the situation.