Plateau shuts schools over security fears
The Plateau State Government has ordered the immediate closure of basic schools across the state over rising security concerns.
The Public Relations Officer of the Plateau State Universal Basic Education Board, Richard Jonah, confirmed the directive to PUNCH Online in Jos on Friday, explaining that the move was a preventive measure.
“You are aware of attacks in schools in some states. So, here in Plateau, the government is being proactive because we don’t want anything like such to happen here.
“So, the government decided to close the schools as a temporary measure to enable it to work on some security measures that can be put in place before school sessions can continue,” he said.
A statement issued by the board on Friday said Government Junior Model Secondary Schools will close effective Saturday, November 22, 2025, while Primary and Day Schools are to shut from Monday, November 24, 2025.
The statement read, “The Plateau State Universal Basic Education Board (PSUBEB) has directed the immediate closure of schools across the state as follows:
“Government Junior Model Secondary Schools (GJMSSs) will close effective Saturday, 22 November 2025.
Primary and Day Schools will close effective Monday, 24 November 2025.
“This decision is underscoring the urgent need for preventive action.
“The Board assures parents, guardians, and stakeholders that this closure is a temporary but necessary step to forestall potential threats and to reassure communities that the government is prioritising the well-being of our learners.”
It also urged Local Government Education Authorities, school heads, and community leaders to cooperate and remain vigilant.
A resident of Shendam LGA, Moses Jeremiah, told The PUNCH that students of GSS Shendam were sent home following reports of a threat.
“I have one student from GSS Shendam. He has just returned home. They were asked to go home because Boko Haram wrote to inform them they were coming on Sunday,” he stated.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Alfred Alabo, said the command was not aware of any threat to schools.
“You are just informing me now. I can not make any statement on the school closure until I get a proper brief on that,” he said.
The closure comes less than 24 hours after gunmen abducted several students from a Catholic school in Niger State — the second mass abduction within a week.
On Monday, gunmen invaded a girls’ boarding school in neighbouring Kebbi State, abducting 25 students and killing the vice-principal.
Meanwhile, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has appealed for public support for ongoing military operations.
He made the call on Thursday during the Nigerian Army Civil-Military Cooperation Media Chat for the fourth quarter of 2025, held in Jos.
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