Plateau Govt Shuts Down Schools, Gives Reasons

The Plateau State Government has ordered the immediate temporary closure of all public and private primary and secondary schools across the state following suspected cases of diphtheria reported in four Local Government Areas.

Politics Nigeria reports that the directive, which takes effect from Monday, September 7, 2026, will remain in force indefinitely, with the government expected to announce a new date for the resumption of academic activities.

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Saturday by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Joyce Lohya Ramnap.

The government said suspected diphtheria cases had been recorded in Jos North, Wase, Jos South and Bassa Local Government Areas, prompting the authorities to take precautionary measures to prevent further spread of the disease.

According to the statement, the directive applies to both public and private schools, including institutions that had already resumed academic activities.

School proprietors, administrators and teachers were directed to comply immediately, while parents and guardians were advised to keep their children and wards at home throughout the period of the closure.

The government explained that the measure was intended to safeguard pupils, students and members of staff amid concerns over the suspected infections.

“Further information on the resumption of academic activities will be communicated to the public in due course,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, tension has also been reported in Mangu Local Government Area following an attack on two residents returning from mining activities between Gaude and Mangu Halle.

One person was killed while another sustained gunshot injuries after suspected armed militia members attacked the victims at about 8:10pm on Thursday.

According to counter-insurgency publication Zagazola Makama, troops of Sector 8, Sub-Sector 81, deployed at Gyambwas, responded to a distress call and moved to the scene.

The troops reportedly found one of the victims, identified as Lanyet Bala, with a gunshot wound to his leg, while the attackers had fled.

A subsequent search-and-rescue operation was launched for the second victim, identified as Kwonan.

His remains were later discovered within the general area, according to the report.

Bala was evacuated to Allah Nakowa Hospital in Mangu for medical treatment.

The troops have since commenced offensive operations in the area and launched a manhunt for the fleeing attackers.

In another related development, the Berom Youth Moulders-Association (BYM) has condemned fresh attacks by suspected armed Fulani terrorists in Rim and Wereng communities in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, which reportedly claimed the lives of two youths.

The victims were identified as 39-year-old Joel Bwede and 22-year-old Justice Dadong.

In a statement issued by its Publicity Secretary, Rwang Tengwong, the association expressed concern over what it described as the growing frequency of attacks and the loss of human lives in the state.

The BYM said it was particularly disturbed that victims of recurring violence were increasingly being reduced to statistics in reports of killings.

“Each casualty represents a family shattered, dreams cut short, and a community left traumatised,” the association said.

It warned that the persistent attacks must not be allowed to become the new normal in Plateau State, while calling on the Federal and state governments, as well as security agencies, to intensify efforts to protect residents and their property.

“The protection of lives and property is a primary responsibility of government, as expressly provided under Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the association said.

The group demanded increased security presence in vulnerable communities, improved intelligence gathering and rapid-response mechanisms to prevent further attacks.

It also called for the immediate investigation of the killings and the arrest and prosecution of those found responsible.

The BYM expressed condolences to the families of Bwede and Dadong and the people of Rim, while urging residents to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies as efforts to restore security in the affected communities continue.