Following the abduction of hundreds of students in Katsina State in the Northern part of Nigeria, Four Northern states in the country have ordered the immediate closure of schools.

area around where the students were kidnapped

The closure order affects schools in Kano, Kaduna, Zamfara and Jigawa states.

The Nigerian teachers’ union has also threatened to go on strike over insecurity in the country. According to the union, pupils and teachers are being targeted by gunmen and kidnappers, an issue that needs to be looked at.

Just last week hundreds of students were abducted from the Government Science Secondary School in Kankara.

The Islamist militants Boko Haram have claimed responsibility for the abductions.

The federal government is yet to reveal the extent of discussions it is having with the abductors. As at the time of this report, 333 students are still missing.

photo credit: Gail Kankara

By Sandrine M.