Parents Teachers Association and Association of Abducted Dapchi Children have closed down Government Girls Science Technical College Dapchi, Yobe State, over fear of a renewed attack by Boko Haram insurgents.

The school was where 105 school girls, along with the lone Christian student still in captivity, Leah Sheribu, were abducted on February 19, 2018.

A source in the school yesterday said the association shut the school following security instructions to evacuate the school girls on three different occasions.

Confirming the closure, chairman of the abducted Dapchi schoolgirls parents association, Mr Bashir Manzo, said JTF commandant in the town had, on three different days, instructed them to evacuate the girls to a traditional ruler’s house which they later felt was not a good idea.

“Just on Saturday the palace of Mai Jajere was attacked and burnt down by the insurgents. So, we felt that it’s no longer safe to keep them there. We met and decided to send them home today (Sunday).” he said.

Manzo said they had written letters to heads of security agencies and Ministry of Education in the state informing them about the decision they took.

“We collectively took the decision, relying on the intelligence report last Saturday that the insurgents were sighted at Sassawa village.

“The attack on Babbangida town yesterday had cleared all doubts, that was why the school authority met with PTA and security operatives and resolved to close down the school,” he said.

He said that the students would remain at home until adequate security measures were taken to ensure their safety.

Daily Trust