The Katsina State Government has directed the immediate shutdown of all public schools across the state following a surge in security threats and banditry attacks affecting several communities.

The directive was announced on Friday by the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Yusuf Sulaiman Jibia, while addressing journalists in Katsina. He said the decision was taken as a precautionary measure to protect students and teachers as security agencies begin implementing a new statewide safety strategy for schools.

Jibia acknowledged that the closure comes at a time when students are in the middle of examinations but stressed that the safety of lives and property remains the government’s highest priority. He described the shutdown as a temporary measure that will remain in effect pending a comprehensive security assessment of identified high-risk areas.

The Commissioner assured the public that the government is working closely with security operatives to ensure that normal academic activities resume as soon as the situation improves.