Kebbi reopens GGCSS Maga two months after attack

From Ismail Adebayo, Birnin kebbi

The Kebbi State Government has reopened Government Girls’ Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga.

The development comes two months after bandits invaded the school and abducted 24 girls after killing the Vice-Principal.

Government had ordered immediate shut down of the school and others in the environs over the incident.

While briefing journalists after a security meeting with principals and heads of schools in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital, on Tuesday, Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Dr. Halima Bande, said the school was ready for academic activities.

She said the confidence of parents and students had been restored through counseling and the full deployment of security personnel.

“Government has put in place all necessary security measures to guarantee the safety of students and staff”, she said.

She added that Governor Nasir Idris had directed the conduct of security awareness programmes for principals and school staff to prevent a recurrence of such incident, noting that similar sessions had earlier been held in Zuru, Yauri, Jega, Bunza, and Argungu, with the final session conducted in Birnin Kebbi.

Dr Bande stated that principals, vice-principals, staff, and students have vital roles to play in maintaining school security.

“We must not allow our collective psyche for peaceful living to be taken away by bandits,” she said. She urged schools to maintain good relationships with their host communities, describing them as critical stakeholders in the security architecture of their locations.

She advised principals to maintain regular contact with security agencies for professional guidance on security matters, stressing the need for proactive measures.

She commended Governor Idris for approving the deployment of security personnel to schools, noting that the move had strengthened the confidence of teachers and students to pursue their academic activities peacefully while also commending the Police, Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Department of State Services (DSS) for educating school principals on security awareness and proactive safety measures.

Also, the Assistant Commissioner of Police (Operations), Kebbi State Command, ACP Yakubu Lawal Gumi, cautioned principals against negligence that could give criminals access to schools.

“You must manage your schools with security consciousness. Ensure adequate lighting, as criminals detest exposure, and remain alert to suspicious characters,” he said.

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