A wave of fear swept through parts of Nigeria on Wednesday as schools in Kogi, Edo, and Niger states shut down or dismissed students early following fresh security threats linked to bandit activity. The closures come amid growing concerns over attacks on schools and communities, only weeks after the abduction of pupils in Oyo State sparked nationwide outrage over worsening insecurity.
The immediate trigger was a deadly attack on UBE Secondary/Primary School in Iluke, Kogi State, where suspected bandits riding about 40 motorcycles invaded the community. Although security operatives prevented a mass abduction, three people were killed, including the school’s vice principal, Mr Ganiyu Anifowose, a 70-year-old resident, and a six-year-old child. Security forces, supported by military personnel and local vigilantes, repelled the attackers, killing one bandit and injuring a security operative during the exchange of gunfire.
In Edo State, authorities ordered the temporary closure of three schools in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area after intelligence from the Department of State Services indicated plans by bandits to target schoolchildren for kidnapping. According to security reports, suspected criminals believed abducting students would attract greater attention and potentially yield higher ransom payments. While security agencies increased surveillance around vulnerable schools, the state government suspended academic activities in the affected institutions, allowing only candidates sitting for the ongoing WASSCE examinations to access school premises under strict security arrangements.
Similar panic spread through Minna and surrounding communities in Niger State after rumours circulated about an impending terrorist attack on schools, particularly Christian-owned institutions. Parents rushed to withdraw their children from school, while some school administrators received frantic calls from worried families. Although the Niger State Police Command dismissed the reports as false and launched investigations into the source of the rumours, the incident exposed widespread anxiety among parents who fear schools are increasingly becoming soft targets for criminal groups.
The growing insecurity has drawn reactions from civil society groups and community organisations. Amnesty International condemned the killings in Kogi and called on authorities to improve protection for schools, students and rural communities. The National Association of Okun Students also described the Iluke attack as evidence of a worsening security crisis and urged traditional rulers, elected officials and security agencies to convene an urgent security summit to develop practical solutions for protecting vulnerable communities.
Meanwhile, security agencies have continued efforts to reassure the public and counter misinformation. In Oyo State, the police dismissed claims circulating on social media that suspected terrorists had infiltrated forests around Ogbomoso and the Old Oyo National Park. The command said intelligence assessments found no evidence supporting the reports but confirmed that additional operatives had been deployed to border communities and vulnerable areas as a precautionary measure.
Despite official assurances, the incidents underscore growing concerns about school safety across Nigeria. From actual attacks in Kogi to credible threats in Edo and widespread panic in Niger, parents, educators and community leaders are increasingly worried about the ability of authorities to protect schools from criminal elements. Security agencies insist preventive measures are being strengthened, but recent events have intensified calls for more decisive action to safeguard students and educational institutions nationwide.
