The Nigerian government on Friday ordered the immediate closure of 41 Federal Unity Colleges across the country in response to a surge in school attacks and mass abductions.

The directive, issued by Hajiya Binta Abdulkadir, Director of Senior Secondary Education, on behalf of the Minister of Education, cites the “rising insecurity” as a direct threat to students and staff. Principals of all affected schools have been instructed to “comply without delay.”

The affected schools include: FGGC Minjibir, FTC Ganduje, FGGC Zaria, FTC Kafanchan, FTC Dayi, FGC Daura, FGGC Tambuwal, FSC Sokoto, FTC Wurno, 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, FGA Suleja, FGC Ilorin, FGGC Omu-Aran, FTC Gwanara, FGGC Bakori, FGC Ugwolawo, FGGC Kabba, FTC Ogugu, FGGC Bwari, FGC Rubochi, FGGC Abaji, FGGC Potiskum, FGC Buni Yadi, FTC Gashua, FTC Michika, FGC Ganye, FGC Azare, FTC Misau, FGGC Bajoga, FGC Billiri, and FTC Zambuk.

The closure comes on the same day terrorists reportedly stormed St. Mary’s Papiri Private Catholic Secondary School in Papiri, Agwara Local Government Area, Niger State, abducting an unspecified number of students and teachers. Local officials confirmed the attack, describing it as a coordinated operation that occurred between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m.

Ahmed Abdullahi Rofia, Head of Disaster and Relief for Agwara Local Government, and Bello Gidi, media aide to the council chairman, confirmed the abduction, noting the school accommodates both boys and girls. While some community sources reported “more than a dozen” children kidnapped, the exact number remains unverified.

The government’s decision underscores ongoing concerns over school security in northern Nigeria, where armed groups have repeatedly targeted educational institutions for ransom.