Insecurity: Scores of schools in 40 LGAs shut down

•Three states worst hit as non-state actors disrupt learning•Experts warn closures worsening out-of-school crisis, child labour, early marriage, radicalization

By Nnamdi Ojiego, Musa Ubandawaki, Umar Yusuf, Ibrahim Hassan-Wuyo, Peter Duru, Ndahi Marama, Golok Nanmwa, Haruna Aliyu, Yauziyya Lawal & Maryam Usman

At least 65 secondary and primary schools have been shut or rendered non-functional by insecurity across northern Nigeria, findings by Sunday Vanguard have shown, with the closures cutting across dozens of local government areas and leaving thousands of children without normal access to classroom education.

Affected schools are spread across Sokoto, Benue, Plateau, Borno, Kaduna and Kebbi, while insecurity has also disrupted academic activities in parts of Katsina, Adamawa and other northern states.

The closures have been triggered by terrorist and bandit attacks, abductions, displacement of communities and fears of further attacks on pupils, students and teachers.