Teachers and students in four local government areas of Kwara State stayed away from schools on Thursday following a directive from the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), in response to escalating insecurity in the region.
The affected areas include Isin, Irepodun, Oke-Ero, Ifelodun, and Ekiti LGAs, where reports of recurrent bandit attacks, including the recent assault in Eruku town, Ekiti LGA, prompted the union’s action.
The Tuesday attack in Eruku reportedly left three people dead and over 30 others abducted by suspected bandits.
In a circular obtained by THISDAY, NUT Kwara State Chairman Yusuf Agboola announced that schools in the affected LGAs would remained closed indefinitely, emphasising that the decision followed instructions from the Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development.
“The decision was occasioned by the security challenges ravaging the area and the efforts of the government to control the situation,” the circular stated.
It urged school authorities to comply immediately. The union assured teachers that further updates would be provided as the situation evolves.
Observations from the four LGAs on Thursday confirmed that teachers and students stayed away from classrooms in line with the directive.
Some students who arrived at schools unaware of the closure were sent back home.
Reacting to the development, parent Mrs. Juliana Oyesoji welcomed the move, describing it as necessary to safeguard pupils amid rising insecurity.
She called on the government to deploy additional security personnel to the affected LGAs to protect residents’ lives and property.
The shutdown highlighted the continuing challenges of education and safety in northern and central Nigeria, where schools remained vulnerable to attacks by armed groups, and raises concerns over the long-term impact on students’ learning.
