The Kebbi State Government has announced the reopening of all public and private primary and secondary schools across the state for the second term of the 2025/2026 academic session, effective Monday, January 5, 2026. This directive aims to restore normalcy to the education sector following a statewide closure triggered by a bandit attack in November 2025.
The announcement was made through separate statements signed by Isah Ibrahim, Public Relations Officer of the Kebbi State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), and Aliyu Bagarawa, Deputy Director (Academics) at the Ministry for Basic and Secondary Education. The statements urged school administrators, teachers, parents, guardians, students, and education secretaries to ensure strict compliance with the resumption date.
School heads have been instructed to prepare adequately, including ensuring staff availability and facility readiness, to facilitate a smooth resumption in both urban and rural areas. Parents and guardians were specifically advised to ensure prompt return of their children and wards, emphasizing that punctuality would enhance effective teaching and learning.
A related circular addressed to zonal education officers, principals, head teachers, and proprietors of private schools specified that the first week of resumption—from January 5 to January 11, 2026—would be dedicated to conducting outstanding first-term examinations. Normal classroom teaching and full academic activities are scheduled to commence on Monday, January 12, 2026. The government stressed strict adherence to this approved timetable and examination schedule, with monitoring teams likely to be deployed for compliance.
This reopening follows a prolonged closure ordered by the state government in response to heightened security concerns after armed bandits attacked the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School (also referred to as Government Girls Secondary School) in Maga, Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area, on November 17, 2025. During the early morning raid, gunmen killed the school's vice principal, Hassan Makuku (or Malam Hassan Makuku), as he attempted to protect the students, and abducted 25 female pupils. One girl escaped shortly after, reducing the number of captives to 24.
The incident, part of a recurring pattern of school abductions in northwestern Nigeria often linked to banditry and ransom demands, prompted the immediate statewide shutdown of schools to prevent further attacks. Governor Nasir Idris condemned the raid, directed security investigations into the reported withdrawal of troops from the school prior to the attack, and promised to rename the institution in honor of the slain vice principal.
On November 25, 2025, the abducted girls were rescued unharmed through coordinated efforts by security agencies, including the military, police, and Department of State Services. Governor Idris confirmed their release, stating emphatically that no ransom was paid. "No ransom was paid. The Kebbi State Government did not pay a kobo, and neither did the Federal Government. The rescue was achieved solely through the efforts of the security agencies," he declared, while thanking President Bola Tinubu for his directives and support. The girls were later reunited with their families in a ceremony attended by high-profile figures, including former governors and the Minister of State for Defence.
The successful rescue and improved security assessments appear to have paved the way for the resumption directive, reflecting the government's commitment to maintaining an uninterrupted academic calendar despite challenges. Stakeholders, including parents and education officials, have welcomed the move, viewing it as a step toward restoring confidence in school safety.
However, the incident has renewed national discourse on persistent insecurity in northern Nigeria, where banditry, kidnappings, and attacks on educational institutions remain rampant. Analysts note that such events disrupt learning, traumatize communities, and deter enrollment, particularly for girls. The Kebbi case echoes previous mass abductions, including the infamous 2014 Chibok incident, underscoring the need for enhanced school protection measures like perimeter fencing, armed guards, and community vigilance programs.
As schools prepare to reopen, authorities have reiterated calls for vigilance. The government plans to deploy monitoring teams to verify compliance and address any resumption challenges. Education stakeholders emphasize that while the rescue operation succeeded without ransom—potentially deterring future demands—long-term solutions require bolstered intelligence, community policing, and socioeconomic interventions to tackle root causes of banditry.
Parents in affected areas, like Maga, have expressed relief at the girls' safe return and the impending school reopening, but many advocate for permanent security postings at vulnerable institutions. Governor Idris's administration has pledged continued collaboration with federal security forces to prevent recurrences.
This development signals a return to routine for thousands of students in Kebbi, allowing them to complete pending examinations and proceed with the term. It also highlights the resilience of the education system amid adversity, with the state prioritizing both safety and academic continuity.
As January 5 approaches, preparations are underway across the state. The successful handling of the crisis, from rescue to resumption, may serve as a model for managing similar threats elsewhere in Nigeria, where school safety remains a pressing concern.
The resumption also comes at a time when the nation continues to grapple with broader educational challenges, including infrastructure deficits and teacher shortages in rural areas. By resuming activities promptly after ensuring safety, Kebbi demonstrates a balanced approach that avoids prolonged disruptions while addressing immediate risks.
Community leaders and civil society groups have commended the government's transparency in communicating the rescue details and resumption plans, fostering greater trust between authorities and citizens. Moving forward, sustained investment in school security and emergency response protocols will be crucial to preventing future incidents and safeguarding the right to education for all children in the state.
