Fear and panic have gripped residents of Makurdi, Benue State, as parents rushed to the Government Special Science Senior Secondary School, North Bank, demanding the immediate release of their children amid escalating insecurity in the region.
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The rush follows the massacre of over 200 people by suspected Fulani herdsmen in Yelelewata—a community located just 20 minutes away from the school. Alarmed by the proximity and lack of adequate security, many parents gathered at the school gate on Monday to retrieve their children.
According to a report by Daily post, the school management had previously written to the Benue State Ministry of Education seeking improved security measures prior to the current term’s resumption. However, no action was taken.
One parent, who spoke anonymously, revealed that the situation had worsened after students were recently kidnapped from the nearby Joseph Tarka University (JOSTUM). He added that during a recent visiting day, parents saw cows grazing freely inside the school premises, due to a collapsed section of the perimeter fence.
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“Just last week, suspected herdsmen attacked the host community. The whole area is now deserted. This is a serious threat,” the parent lamented. He stressed that the school should be shut down until the security situation improves, urging authorities to avoid a repeat of tragic events like the Chibok or Dapchi school abductions.
The growing unrest in Benue has intensified calls for urgent government action, especially concerning the safety of students in public schools near conflict zones.
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With rising incidents of herdsmen attacks, educational institutions have become soft targets, creating a climate of fear for parents and guardians.
While no official statement has yet been released by the Ministry of Education, concerned parents have vowed to keep their children at home until adequate protection is guaranteed.
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