The Kogi State Government has announced the temporary closure of all schools in the state for two weeks as a precautionary move to protect lives and property.The decision was disclosed on Tuesday by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, in a statement issued in Lokoja. According to the state government, the closure is a preventive step based on credible intelligence and the need to strengthen security around schools to protect pupils, students and teachers.
Fanwo explained that the action was taken out of responsibility, not panic, stressing that the government preferred to act proactively rather than wait for avoidable incidents. He also commended security agencies for providing timely and actionable intelligence, describing the collaboration as evidence of the effectiveness of the state’s security framework.
He assured residents that the government remains fully in control of the situation, adding that security operatives are working round the clock to identify and dismantle criminal hideouts across the state. The government reaffirmed that the safety of children, teachers and educational institutions remains a top priority, noting that Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has directed relevant agencies to put measures in place to ensure schools resume as soon as it is safe, without disrupting the academic calendar.
Meanwhile, the Kogi State Chairman of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Pastor Reuben Jimoh, has instructed all private schools to comply with the directive. He said the mid-term break has been brought forward, with schools expected to resume on February 16, 2026, warning that no school should violate the adjustment.
Several parents and guardians also confirmed receiving notifications from their children’s schools. One parent, identified as Saidu, said he was informed of an emergency break beginning February 4, 2026, with parents advised to encourage their wards to study at home while awaiting a resumption date. The development comes amid intensified security operations by the state government against bandits’ hideouts in forest areas, which have reportedly led to the neutralisation of several criminal elements.
Source: https://dailytrust.com/
