Kwara government reopens schools after weeks of closure

The Kwara State Government has approved the reopening of all schools across the state from Monday, following weeks of disruption caused by security concerns in parts of the state.

The decision was announced on Sunday, February 1, in a statement by the Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Dr. Lawal Olohungbebe, who said school authorities had already been formally notified.

According to the commissioner, the approval followed sustained security operations by the military and other security agencies aimed at flushing out bandits and other criminal elements from forest hideouts and identified flashpoints across the state.

“The government deems the situation now to be a lot better than it was before. Even so, we continue to maintain vigilance,” Olohungbebe said in the statement signed by the ministry’s Press Secretary, Peter Amogbonjaye.

He added that security operations were being maintained steadily to consolidate the gains recorded in recent weeks, while the government continued to strengthen community resilience alongside kinetic efforts.

Reports indicate that the reopening of schools comes amid intensified offensives by security forces against bandit camps, particularly in forested areas of the state that had previously served as safe havens for criminal gangs.

Last week, troops of the Nigerian Army, working with other security agencies, carried out coordinated clearance operations in identified enclaves, leading to the dislodgement of bandits from several locations and the destruction of their camps.

Security sources also confirmed the arrest of suspected bandits and the recovery of arms and ammunition during intelligence-led operations, although there were complaints about some community members allegedly acting as informants and affecting the success of the operations.

The renewed offensive followed a wave of kidnappings and attacks on communities in parts of Kwara State, which had forced many schools to shut down as parents withdrew their children over safety concerns.

Olohungbebe, however, assured parents, students and other education stakeholders that the safety of learners and education workers remains a top priority for the state government.

He urged school administrators to maintain close communication with security agencies and to promptly report any suspicious activities around school environments.