Gombe State Government has directed all public and private schools across the state to shut down operations on or before Friday, in what officials describe as a strategic, precautionary step to fortify pupil safety amid rising national security anxieties.
The directive, announced on Monday by the Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr Esrom Toro, follows mounting concerns over recent attacks and student abductions in parts of northern Nigeria—an unsettling trend that continues to provoke anxiety among parents and educators.
Speaking during a briefing with Local Education Secretaries in Gombe, Dr Toro explained that Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya issued the order with a singular focus: safeguarding pupils, teachers, and school administrators.
According to him, the administration opted for early closure “as a cautionary measure,” stressing that the move should not be misconstrued as panic, but as a tactical response aligned with long-standing safety protocols.
He said the governor “remains fully committed to protecting the people of Gombe State,” urging parents to remain calm while government agencies intensify surveillance and coordination with security operatives.
With the new directive, schools have been instructed to wrap up ongoing examinations between now and Friday. Dr Toro emphasised the need for immediate compliance to avoid academic disruptions.
Beyond the temporary closure, the state is also activating a broader operational framework for education sector renewal. Dr Toro disclosed that a Taskforce Committee on School Revitalisation will commence a statewide inspection of selected schools in the coming days. The initiative, he noted, is designed to strengthen the infrastructure and operational integrity of basic education institutions across the state.
“All Education Secretaries must maintain accurate and updated records of schools under their supervision,” he said, adding that the revitalisation assessment will support long-term reforms and enhance safety standards when academic activities resume.
