By Gobina Joseph
Kogi state government on Tuesday ordered temporary closure of schools across the state for two weeks to safeguard lives and property .
The State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo disclosed this in Lokoja to newsmen.
He said the temporary closure of schools across the state was a purely preventive decision, taken on the basis of credible intelligence report.
In view of this , Fanwo says there is “overriding need to put protective measures in place around schools to safeguard pupils, students, and teachers”.
The commissioner added that “the decision was not borne out of panic, but of responsibility, noting that the government chose to act proactively rather than wait for avoidable incidents.
“The safety of our children, teachers, and educational institutions remains non-negotiable. This administration will always prioritise lives while ensuring continuity in governance and education.
“Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has directed all relevant agencies to immediately deploy necessary modalities to ensure that schools resume academic activities as soon as it is safe, so as not to disrupt the state’s academic calendar”.
The state government commended the security agencies for their timely and actionable intelligence, stressing that such cooperation underscores the effectiveness of the state’s security architecture.
However, the government reassured the people of the State that the present administration is fully on top of the situation, stressing that security agencies are already working round the clock to identify, locate, and decisively deal with criminal hideouts.
Also, the Kogi State Chairman, National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Pastor Reuben Jimoh has enjoined members to comply with the decision of the state government with immediate effect.
The chairman of NAPPS says: “The midterm break for school has been fast forwarded and we shall be resuming back on 16th /02/2026.
“Therefore, there will be no school tomorrow until 16th /02/2026. No school should go against this adjustment”.
Schools and colleges in kogi resumed for the new academic session in the first week of January.
Reports making the rounds noted that hoodlums suspected to be bandits have given notice of attack on educational institutions in the state.
