Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State has directed all public and private secondary schools in the state to immediately deboard their students following increasing insecurity across the country. The directive, issued through the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Augustina Godwin, affects all boarding schools and requires them to operate strictly as day schools until further notice.
The order comes as communities across northern Nigeria remain unsettled after fresh abductions of students in Kebbi and Niger states. The attacks, which occurred within days of each other, have intensified fears about the safety of boarding schools and raised new questions about the ability of authorities to keep children secure.
According to Dr. Godwin, the decision was taken in response to the “growing attacks nationwide,” which she said have turned boarding schools into soft targets for criminals. She explained that boarding students face greater risks because they live on school premises overnight, making them vulnerable to sudden invasions by armed groups.
The abductions in Kebbi and Niger—where more than 230 students and teachers were kidnapped—have drawn nationwide concern and have led state governments to re-examine school security measures. In both incidents, gunmen stormed the schools at night or early in the morning, when students were still on the premises.
Dr. Godwin said Governor Kefas’ directive is a proactive step designed to prevent such tragedies from happening in Taraba.
“His Excellency, Governor Agbu Kefas, has directed the immediate deboarding of all secondary schools. All schools must operate as day schools only, with all boarding systems removed without delay,” she stated.
The commissioner described the decision as a necessary measure to protect students during a period of heightened insecurity across the northern region. She noted that many states have experienced repeated attacks on schools over the years, and Taraba must act early to avoid becoming the next target.
“This move is meant to prevent any threats linked to the ongoing unrest,” she said. “The safety of our children is a top priority, and government is taking steps to ensure schools remain safe spaces.”
Taraba State has not recorded recent mass school abductions, but communities in the state have witnessed pockets of violence linked to banditry, communal clashes and criminal gangs. In neighbouring states such as Adamawa, Plateau, Nasarawa and Benue, similar incidents have raised concerns about the safety of students traveling to and from school.
Nigeria has struggled with school attacks for more than a decade, beginning with the 2014 abduction of over 270 schoolgirls from Chibok in Borno State. Since then, there have been multiple kidnappings in Dapchi, Kankara, Jangebe, Tegina, Birnin Yauri and other communities.
The pattern has also been similar: attackers target boarding schools, where they can abduct many students at once. Security experts say the lack of strong fences, weak surveillance and limited security personnel make boarding schools vulnerable to overnight attacks.
Parents in many northern states now fear enrolling their children in boarding schools. Some states have shut down schools in high-risk areas, while others have strengthened security with local vigilante groups and police patrols.
Governor Kefas’ decision places Taraba among states choosing preventive measures rather than waiting for attacks to occur.
The Taraba State Government has assured parents that the decision is temporary and aimed at keeping children safe. Officials say the government is working closely with security agencies to monitor threats and strengthen protection across the state.
“We are committed to restoring safety,” Dr. Godwin said. “Parents should remain calm, as the directive is designed to protect their children.”
She added that all school authorities must fully comply with the order and increase vigilance on their premises. Schools that fail to follow the directive risk facing sanctions.
In many areas, principals have already begun informing parents to pick up boarding students and make new arrangements for day attendance. Some schools have asked parents for a short transition period to help students relocate, while others have shut down hostel operations immediately.
The announcement has drawn mixed reactions from parents, teachers and education experts. Some parents welcomed the move, saying safety must come before convenience.
A parent in Jalingo said: “It is better to have our children at home than to hear that something terrible has happened. We are happy the governor is acting before there is a problem.”
Others, however, worry about the struggles that will come with transporting children to and from school daily, especially for families who live far from their children’s schools.
Teachers also expressed concerns about overcrowding in classrooms as day students increase, but many agree that the decision is necessary under the current security climate.
As insecurity continues to spread across the country, the Taraba government says it will continue to review its policies. Officials say the deboarding order may remain in place until security improves or new measures are introduced to protect boarding facilities.
Governor Kefas’ directive reflects a growing trend among northern states, where leaders are taking drastic steps to prevent school attacks before they happen. Whether the move will remain temporary or become a long-term policy depends on how quickly Nigeria can address the security challenges affecting education.
But for many families in Taraba, the message is clear: safety comes first—even if it means major changes to the school system.
