The Federal Government has ordered the closure of 41 Federal Government Colleges nationwide following recent abductions of schoolchildren in Maga, Kebbi State, and parts of Niger State.

The directive is contained in a circular referenced FME/DSSE/GM/S.160/CII, signed by the Director of Senior Secondary Education, Hajiya Binta Abdulkadir, and addressed to all principals of Federal Unity Colleges. Issued on Friday, the circular said the decision was necessary to prevent further security breaches.

“Sequel to the recent security challenges in some parts of the country and the need to prevent another security breach, the Honourable Minister of Education has approved the immediate closure of the listed federal colleges with immediate effect. Principals of affected colleges are to ensure strict compliance,” the circular read.

The affected schools are located across the North-West, North-East, North-Central, and parts of the South. They include Federal Government Girls’ College (FGGC), Minjibir; Federal Technical College (FTC), Ganduje; FGGC Zaria; FTC Kafanchan; FGGC Bakori; FTC Dayi; FGC Daura; FGGC Tambuwal; Federal Science College (FSC), Sokoto; and FTC Wurno.

Others are FGC Gusau; FGC Anka; FGGC Gwandu; FGC Birnin Yauri; FTC Zuru; FGGC Kazaure; FGC Kiyawa; FTC Hadejia; FGGC Bida; FGC New Bussa; FTC Kuta-Shiroro; Federal Government Academy (FGA), Suleja; FGC Ilorin; FGGC Omu-Aran; FTC Gwanara; and FGC Ugwolawo.

Also listed are FGGC Kabba; FTC Ogugu; FGGC Bwari; FGC Rubochi; FGGC Abaji; FGGC Potiskum; FGC Buni Yadi; FTC Gashua; FTC Michika; FGC Ganya; FGC Azare; FTC Misau; FGGC Bajoga; FGC Billiri; and FTC Zambuk.