Bandits: Schools Open In Zamfara After 20 Weeks Of Closure

Zamfara State Government has announced the resumption of academic activities in some primary and secondary schools in the state weeks after closure.

Naija News reports that Governor Bello Matawalle administration made the announcement on Sunday in a statement issued by the Acting Director, Quality Assurance, Ministry of Education, Shehu Ibrahim.

The government official noted in the statement that schools would resume today, Monday, January 17.

Public and private schools categorized as “green’’ and “yellow’’ by the authorities are to resume normal academic activities.

The communique stressed that those tagged ‘red’ are to remain closed until the security situation improves.

Naija News understands that the state government had ordered the closure of schools 20 weeks ago after bandit terrorists attacked and abducted no fewer than 80 students and 3 teachers from Government Day Secondary School, Kaya in Maradun Local Government Area.

This is a few among many attacks by the deadly groups in the northern state.

Earlier, over 279 female students of Government Girls Science Secondary School, Jangebe in Talata Marafa LGA were reportedly abducted by the assailants, but are all now free.

They were freed in March 2021 after negotiations with the government, Naija News understands.

Meanwhile, the bandits have killed and taken many hostages for ransom in the state in recent times.

In another news, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen Lucky Irabor has warned bandits operating in the country that it is no longer going to be business as usual.

The Military chief told the criminals to prepare to be dealt with now that the federal government of Nigeria has proscribed them as terrorists.

Naija News reports Irabor made the declaration on Monday when he featured on ‘Good Morning Nigeria,’ an interview programme of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).

According to him, with the government having gazetted the order proscribing the bandits as terrorists, the military can unleash new tactics and weapons upon them.

He vowed that the bandits will get “the bloody nose they so desire”.