EXCLUSIVE: Teachers Refuse To Resume Classes In Kwara Communities After Boko Haram Kills School Principal; Schools Shut Indefinitely Amid Fear

When SaharaReporters visited Government Junior Secondary School on Monday, classrooms were deserted, doors locked and the premises abandoned, areas that would ordinarily be bustling with students.

Teachers in Woro and neighbouring communities in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State have declined to resume classes after a school principal was killed in a recent terrorist attack, prompting authorities to shut schools indefinitely as fear continues to grip residents.

When SaharaReporters visited Government Junior Secondary School on Monday, classrooms were deserted, doors locked and the premises abandoned, areas that would ordinarily be bustling with students.

A resident who accompanied SaharaReporters around the school described the atmosphere as tense and uncertain, saying the community’s education system had effectively ground to a halt since the attack.

“This is Government Secondary School, Woro, Junior Secondary School,” the resident said. “The school was shut down due to the recent incident that occurred in Woro community. In fact, the principal of the school, known as Mr. Salami, was murdered.

“He was slaughtered during the incident that occurred here in Woro. The school is now closed until further notice by the local government.”

“Today is Monday, students are supposed to be in school, but because of what happened, everywhere is locked. Now, what is the fate of these students that want to study?” the resident added.

Teachers who spoke to SaharaReporters said the killing of the principal has created widespread panic among education workers, many of whom now fear they could be the next targets.

A teacher at Woro Primary School explained that the principal was deliberately targeted by the terrorists because of their opposition to Western education.

“The attackers specifically went after him because he was a school principal,” the teacher said. “They hate Western education and see teachers as enemies. Since that day, many teachers have become afraid. Some of our colleagues have already relocated with their families because they don’t feel safe anymore.

“We cannot risk our lives. There is no security presence around the schools. If something happens again, nobody will come to rescue us.”

Community leaders confirmed that the shutdown extends beyond Woro, affecting multiple communities across the local government area due to worsening insecurity.

“The reason behind the closure of the school is insecurity in the state. It is not only here in Baburasa, it is across the whole local government area. That is why the schools were closed,” Ibrahim Hammad, the village head of Baburasa told SaharaReporters.

Residents said the absence of security personnel has left schools completely exposed, forcing educators to suspend academic activities indefinitely.

Ibrahim Usman, headteacher of UBEA Primary School in Baburasa, lamented that children in the affected communities are now roaming the streets instead of learning.

“There is no security in our schools,” Usman said. “That is why our schools have been closed. Our children are losing their education, and there is nothing we can do about it on our own.

“Anytime I see our children doing nothing and just wandering around, it makes me sad. They are supposed to be in classrooms learning like their peers in other cities and towns. We are praying for all these kinds of things to stop.”

SaharaReporters had earlier reported that terrorists launched a coordinated evening assault on Woro community on February 4, 2026, killing men, women and children indiscriminately in one of the deadliest attacks recorded in Kwara State in recent years.

Among those reportedly killed were two wives of the Emir of Woro, several of his children, the Chief Imam, a school principal, a headmistress and returning students.

Security sources linked the assault to a Sadiku-led Boko Haram faction believed to maintain operational ties with terrorist networks operating across the Sahel region.

Residents said the continued closure of schools signals a growing humanitarian and educational crisis, warning that an entire generation of children in Woro and surrounding communities risks losing access to education unless urgent security intervention is provided.

WATCH: Teachers Refuse To Resume Classes In Kwara Communities After Boko Haram Kills School Principal; Schools Shut Indefinitely Amid Fear pic.twitter.com/ovl2iRRNFZ

— Sahara Reporters (@SaharaReporters) February 20, 2026