Schools Reopen in Northern Nigeria After Abductions, as Fear Lingers in Classrooms
Schools across parts of northern Nigeria reopened on Monday after months of closure following the mass abduction of students last November.
The reopening marks a cautious return to routine in a region scarred by criminal gangs and Islamist insurgents targeting education facilities.
Last year’s abductions exposed the fragile safety net surrounding schools, turning classrooms into symbols of both hope and vulnerability.
Nigeria’s federal government said enhanced security measures had created safer conditions, allowing academic activities to resume this term.
Officials offered no details, leaving families to balance official assurances against memories of violence and unanswered questions.
In northern Kaduna state, a 17-year-old student said returning to school after two months felt heavy with fear and longing.
She spoke at her home before leaving for her boarding school, describing missed lunches, teachers, and laughter with friends.
“What I love most is being together at lunchtime and spending time with my teachers and friends,” she said quietly.
Her words carried both excitement and the echo of absence, a reminder of how deeply the closures disrupted young lives.
Her father, Haruna Danjuma, said sending his daughter back to school was one of the hardest decisions he has faced.
He said fear of kidnapping should not steal a child’s right to learn, even in a climate of persistent insecurity.
“A child is a gift from Almighty Allah, and it is my responsibility to educate her,” he said.
“But it is the responsibility of government to secure the children,” he added, placing duty alongside faith and hope.
Not all regions shared the same return, as many schools in Niger State remained closed over security concerns.
More than 300 students and staff were abducted there in November, leaving deep scars across families and school communities.
State officials said the majority of schools in affected areas were not yet ready to reopen.
Saint Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri was among those ordered to remain shut until further notice.
The Christian Association of Nigeria cited a state directive urging continued closures in zones facing severe security challenges.
Niger State education commissioner Hadiza Mohammed said student safety remained the government’s highest priority.
“The safety of students, teachers, and school communities remains paramount,” she said, underscoring the cautious approach.
As some classrooms fill again, others remain silent, reflecting a region still negotiating between fear and the promise of learning.