By Salisu Baso

Three public schools in the Sabon Gari area have been taken over and turned into hideouts for criminals and thugs. The schools in question are Maikwatashi Secondary School, Zawa’i Junior Secondary School, and Government Girls Secondary School Maikwatashi, all located along Igbo Road in Sabon Gari quarters.

These schools have been occupied by criminals wielding dangerous weapons, threatening the safety of students and staff, and disrupting the learning environment. The situation has led many parents and guardians to withdraw their children, severely affecting student enrollment. Currently, only four students are attending Zawa’i Junior Secondary School due to the security risks.

Our reporter, who visited the schools, observed that they have become hideouts for criminals and thugs. The schools are in a state of complete disrepair, with no roofs, windows, or doors, and the buildings themselves are cracked and crumbling.

When contacted, school authorities, the Kano State Senior Secondary Schools Management Board (KSSSMB), and the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) said that several letters had been sent to the concerned authorities about the security and infrastructural issues affecting the schools.

Mr. Samuel Mbadwe, a member of the School-Based Management Committee (SBMC) at GSS Maikwatashi, expressed concern over the critical condition and insecurity facing the school. He stated that the SBMC had tried its best to intervene but had failed due to the overwhelming security challenges.

He called on the state government to come to the aid of the school by rehabilitating the facilities and providing security.

The situation has caught the attention of the State House of Assembly, which directed its education committee to investigate the motion brought by Hon. Yusuf Bello Aliyu, the member representing Nassarawa Constituency. The motion called for the relocation of the schools to Kaura Goje Ward, as most of the students come from neighboring areas like Brigade, Tudun Wada, and Gwagwarwa.

The committee’s findings, submitted to the house, revealed that the schools lack proper security, with cases of vandalism, including the theft of windows, washbasins, and the destruction of toilet facilities. Out of ten classroom blocks, only three are currently in use, while criminals and thugs have occupied the remaining space.

The committee recommended that the government address these critical issues and ensure the safety and proper functioning of Maikwatashi Secondary School.

In a related incident, it was reported that the ceilings of the classrooms were being used to store weapons. On January 25, 2024, police recovered an AK-47 rifle from the premises, along with live ammunition.

After receiving the final report and recommendations, the House reassigned the education committee to investigate why the state government was unaware of the dire situation.

It was understood that one of the major issues affecting the schools is the lack of student enrollment. The schools fall under Fagge Zonal Secondary Education, while most of the students come from Nassarawa Zone.