Education challenges terrorism: schools reopen in northern Nigeria despite threats

Schools in parts of northern Nigeria began reopening their doors on Monday after months of closure following the abduction of hundreds of students last November.

The kidnappings that took place last year highlighted the fragility of educational facilities in a region plagued by the activities of criminal gangs and terrorist groups.

Schools resumed their academic activities during the current term after the federal government stated, in a circular issued last month, that enhanced security measures had created a safer environment for students to return.

No further details were provided.

In Niger State, in central Nigeria, where more than 300 students and staff members were abducted in November, most schools remain closed for security reasons, according to state officials.

Last December, the United States carried out strikes on what it described as Islamic State sites in Nigeria, accusing the group of targeting and brutally killing, primarily, innocent Christians at levels not seen for many years, or even for centuries, according to a post by Donald Trump on his social media platform Truth Social.

Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs commented on the strikes by stating that the United States had conducted precision airstrikes against terrorist targets in Nigeria.