By Israel Lantang 

The Plateau State Government has ordered the temporary closure of all public and private primary and secondary schools across the state from Monday, September 7, following suspected cases of diphtheria reported in four Local Government Areas.

The directive, announced by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Joyce Lohya Ramnap, applies to schools that had already resumed academic activities. The government said the closure will remain in force until a new resumption date is announced.

The affected areas are Jos North, Wase, Jos South and Bassa LGAs.
The government said the decision was taken as a precautionary measure to reduce the risk of further transmission and protect pupils, students and school staff.

School proprietors, administrators and teachers have been directed to comply with the order, while parents and guardians have been advised to keep their children and wards at home until further notice.

The announcement comes against the backdrop of growing concern over diphtheria in the state. Health authorities had previously reported a significant number of suspected cases and deaths, although figures have varied across reports and the cases require laboratory confirmation.

The Plateau government has also intensified public health measures, including vaccination and sensitisation efforts, while health officials have urged parents to ensure that children receive routine immunisation.

The school closure comes at a time when several parts of Plateau are also dealing with renewed security concerns.

In Mangu Local Government Area, one person was killed and another injured after suspected armed attackers reportedly ambushed two residents returning from mining activities between Gaude and Mangu Halle on Thursday night.

According to Zagazola Makama, the incident occurred at about 8:10 p.m. on September 3. Troops of Sector 8, Sub-Sector 81, deployed at Gyambwas, reportedly responded to a distress call and found Lanyet Bala with a gunshot wound to his leg. The second victim, identified as Kwonan, was later found dead.

Bala was evacuated to Allah Nakowa Hospital in Mangu, while troops launched search-and-rescue and subsequent offensive operations aimed at locating the fleeing attackers, according to the security report.

In Riyom Local Government Area, the Berom Youth Moulders Association (BYM) also reported the killing of two youths, Joel Bwede, 39, and Justice Dadong, 22, in attacks involving the Rim and Wereng communities.

The association, through its National Publicity Secretary, Rwang Tengwong, called for stronger security measures, improved intelligence gathering and faster response mechanisms. It also urged authorities to investigate the killings and prosecute those found responsible.

The killings have added to wider security concerns in Plateau. Governor Caleb Mutfwang recently convened the State Security Council to review attacks across the state, while the police said arrests had been made in connection with some incidents and investigations were continuing.

The Plateau government has confirmed the temporary closure of public and private primary and secondary schools from September 7 because of suspected diphtheria cases in four LGAs.

Health authorities have also confirmed that the state is dealing with a serious diphtheria situation, with vaccination, surveillance and treatment measures underway.

Security incidents have separately been reported in Mangu and Riyom, with one death and one injury reported in the Mangu incident and two deaths reported by the BYM in Riyom.