The State Schools Quality Assurance Authority has ordered the closures of 13 mainly Christian schools following the abduction of staff and students from Bethel Baptist High School in the Chikun Local Government Area of southern Kaduna state, Nigeria.
In early July, suspected Fulani herdsmen kidnapped most of the nearly 180 students at gunpoint. It was merely the latest of a series of attacks on schools and colleges across Kaduna – which is now seen as an epicentre for kidnapping – that have greatly increased this year. The attack on Bethel Baptist was one of four incidents which took place within a 24-hour period.
Video footage subsequently emerged of distressed parents gathering in the grounds of the school, praying fervently for the release of their children.
The Authority has identified the 13 schools as being ‘vulnerable’. The decision to shut them was taken at a meeting with the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) and some key stakeholders. Other schools closing are Deeper Life Academy in Maraban Rido, Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) Secondary School in Ungwar Maje and St Peter’s Minor Seminary in Katari.
Scot Bower, CEO of Christian Solidarity Worldwide said: ‘Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Kaduna state, who continue to bear the brunt of a critical security failure. Closing educational facilities is a desperate measure, giving the unfortunate impression of an inability to address a situation that has been allowed to spiral inexorably.’
