The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Dr Yusuf Saleh, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Kaduna. Saleh said that the move was to protect school infrastructure from vandals.

He said “For a very long time some of our schools were being used for all kinds of activities, and at the end of the day, school facilities were being vandalised. Every day, we receive complaints and demands from citizens to construct, renovate, or fix one facility or the other in schools, and this involves a lot of money. It is, therefore, critical to take proactive steps to protect the school’s infrastructure and this is one of such steps,”

He disclosed that a circular had already been sent to all the Principals and Head Teachers in secondary and primary schools, directing them to stop giving out school premises for events and social gatherings.

He said that some of the schools do not have fences, stressing that plans were underway to construct perimeter fences in all schools across the state.

He added that the ministry was also strengthening partnership and collaboration with the Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs and Kaduna State Vigilant Service, to provide the needed security in schools.

According to him, the efforts will help address the security challenges affecting the smooth operation of some schools in the state.

Yesterday we reported that one of the students was shot as security operatives attempted to forcefully disperse the protesters.

The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, who disclosed this in a statement confirmed that one student died while three security personnel were injured.

He said “In the preliminary report received so far, one student lost his life and some others were wounded, while three security personnel also sustained injuries. The Governor of Kaduna state, Malam Nasir El-Rufai condoled the family of the student that lost his life and wished the students and operatives who sustained injuries speedy recovery. The government of Kaduna State also wishes to debunk reports that it deployed security operatives to suppress protesting students. KDSG is awaiting briefings to enable it to understand the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate violent incident in Gidan Waya. At the time of this update, the Governor is awaiting reports from the military, police, DSS, the management of the institution, the student union as well as the traditional institution in the area. The government will publicise its findings after receipt of the expected reports”

The Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, made this known following the protests by parents of the students at the main gate of the National Assembly complex in Abuja on Tuesday.

The protesters led by Abdullahi Usman told journalists they wanted the lawmakers to prevail on security agencies to rescue their children.

Usman partly said, “Now, they have spent 55 days in captivity and we are still counting. There is no hope. Kaduna State Government said they cannot do anything. Even the Ministry of Environment, which supervises the team, is not doing anything.”

A parent of one of the kidnapped students, Rabbi Zacharia Maggaji said, “Please, I want to talk to my son; he is the only person I have. It is me that has been training him. I don’t have a husband. I want to see my son; let the government help me.”

About 30 minutes into the plenary on Tuesday, Gbajabiamila asked the Security Committee to go and address the protesters.

When the delegation led by Hon Babajimi Benson, Chairman, Defence Committee returned about 45 minutes after, the Speaker asked for feedback.

Benson said, “The parents feel that the Nigerian state has abandoned them. They have not eaten for two days; they all wore black, they don’t have hope. The only hope they have is the parliament. They have sent us to you, Mr Speaker. They have asked us to please, plead with you to ensure that their plights over their missing kids are immediately addressed. Their kids have been missing for 55 days. They were also so concerned that in their depression, they also asked that we speak on behalf of the kids that were abducted from Greenfield University as well.”

Responding, Gbajabiamila said, “The special committee, in the meantime, will look into it and liaise with all relevant authorities, including the state government in Kaduna, on how to deal with this matter.”

He noted that El-Zakzaky and his wife, Zeenat, were not released because they were being prosecuted by a state government.

The AGF spoke in an interview with the Hausa Service of the BBC on Thursday.

Malami said the case was being prosecuted by the Kaduna State government and as such, the federal government would not interfere.

”The Federal Government won’t interfere in a judicial process that is solely responsible for the state government to take charge of”, the AGF stated.

Meanwhile, former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, and #RevolutionNow convener, Omoyele Sowore, were released on Tuesday.

Malami advised them to observe the terms of their bail and refrain from engaging in any act that is inimical to public peace and national security as well as their ongoing trial “which will run its course in accordance with the laws of the land”.