BY SALIU SALIU
GOVERNOR Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State has ordered the immediate closure of 16 boarding schools along the state’s borderlines.
The decision was reached at the state’s 17th security council meeting, held at the Government House, a statement on Thursday said.
The schools are to be closed, temporarily for two weeks, according to the Governor.
The directive of immediate closure of the schools was given following a brief by the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education in the state, Muhammad Bello Guiwa, to the Council, on the security situation in the affected areas and the associated threats.
The affected schools, according to the statement, include Government Girls Model Secondary School, Illela; Sultan Muhammadu Tambari Arabic Secondary School, Illela; Gamji Girls College, Rabah; Government Secondary School, Gada; Government Secondary School, Gandi; and Government Secondary School, Goronyo.
Others are Government Secondary School, Isa; Government Secondary School Sabon Birnin Gobir; Boarding Primary School, Isa; Boarding Primary School, Balle; and Boarding Primary School, Jabo.
Others are UBE Junior Secondary School, Sabon Birni; Government Secondary School, Kebbe; Government Secondary School, Tureta; Government Technical College, Binji; and Olusegun Obasanjo Technical College, Bafarawa.
The governor, however, directed the Ministries of Basic and Secondary Education and that of Science and Technology to merge the students of the affected schools, temporarily, with those of other schools for the continuation of their studies, pending the improvement in the security situation of the affected areas.
He also asked principals of the affected schools to comply with the directive with immediate effect.
