Terrorist attacks: FCT orders closure of private schools in Abuja

The Federal Government has ordered the closure of all private schools in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, amid rising insecurity and fear of terrorist attacks.

A statement signed by the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools in Nigeria, Abuja stated that the directive to shut down schools came from the FCT Education secretariat.

The message reads, “Dear school educators, instruction reaching me now from the Ag. Director DQA is that the FCT Education secretariat has directed that schools are to make sure all examinations going on should be ended by Wednesday, July 27, 2022, and all students including those in boarding should be allowed to go home for the holiday.”

Confirming the authenticity of the statement, the publicity secretary, NAPPS, AMAC, Peter Edoh said, “Yes. It is very true”.

The directive comes amidst threats of attacks in the capital city.

The government had earlier ordered the immediate closure of one of its Unity College, the Federal Government College Kwali, located in Kwali Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja.

It had also been reported that security agencies got a security report that the Islamic State West Africa Province and Boko Haram planned to attack Lagos, Kaduna, Kogi, Katsina, and Zamfara states as well as the Federal Capital Territory.

The decision to close the federal school was taken after a reported terrorist attack on the neighbouring Sheda community in the Area Council, which is close to the college.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has said that intelligence reports from field operatives indicate that terrorists were planning major attacks on the FCT and Lagos.