The Niger State Government has said it will relocate all boarding schools in the state to Minna, the Stae capital. This is to forestall any attempt by bandits to invade the schools and abduct students. This was disclosed on thursday during a post-executive council meeting media briefing, which said it would reclaim all schools lands illegally acquired by individuals or organizations within the state capitals.

The state Commissioner for lands maurice magaji who addressed newsmen alongside three other commissioners noted that the relocation of the schools is temporary measure to aviod a repeat of the Government science College, Kagara in which over 128 students including teachers were abducted by bandits from their hostels. He said the decision should not be misconstrued as the government surrounding the fight against the bandits in the state. the government is intensifying efforts to ensure that the war against the criminal elements is won. Although no timeline is given for relocation but the government has put plans in motion with executive order by the Governor to revoke all lands allocated to individuals within government schools.

He said the government needs such lands to be able to expand existing structures to accommodate those schools that will be relocated. There would also be a clamp down on quack private tertiary institutions to make sure only those with genuine certificates and proper accreditation are allowed to operate in the state.

Out of 56 private tertiary education, only 34 passed accreditation while 22 are said to be operating without proper accreditation.

credit: punch