By our reporter
Four years have passed since armed bandits violently attacked Government Science College in Kagara, Niger State, but the school still lies abandoned and in ruins. Once a thriving academic institution, the school now suffers from collapsed classrooms, damaged roofs, and overgrown grounds. Despite repeated promises from government officials to rehabilitate the school and resume classes, no meaningful action has been taken. As a result, hundreds of students remain out of school, deepening the education crisis in the region.
The attack occurred on the night of February 17, 2021, when gunmen stormed the school compound, abducting 27 students, three staff members, and 12 relatives. One student was tragically killed during the raid. The kidnappings shocked the nation and drew international condemnation. Although the abducted victims were released after tense negotiations, the traumatic event forced the school’s indefinite closure.
A recent inspection of the school reveals a disturbing scene of neglect. Buildings that once echoed with the sounds of learning now stand deserted. Classrooms have crumbled, roofs lie in tatters, and walls bear visible damage. The compound is overrun with weeds and debris, underscoring years of neglect and insecurity.
Local residents expressed frustration and disappointment over the lack of progress. “We were assured the school would be rebuilt and our children would go back to school,” said a community elder. “But nothing has happened, and our children’s education continues to suffer.”
The situation has left families in a difficult position. With no nearby alternatives and ongoing security concerns, many children have been forced to drop out entirely. Parents worry about the long-term impact on their children’s future and the wider community’s development.
Security forces maintain a presence in the region, but their efforts have not translated into the reopening or reconstruction of the school. Education experts warn that without urgent intervention, the growing number of closed schools in northern Nigeria will continue to deny thousands of children their right to education.
The plight of Government Science College Kagara reflects a broader crisis affecting northern Nigeria, where frequent attacks by bandits and insurgents have forced hundreds of schools to shut down. This ongoing insecurity threatens the future of a generation and underscores the urgent need for government action.
As the school’s ruins continue to deteriorate, they stand as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of violence and neglect on education in conflict-affected areas of Nigeria.
