11,000 Out-Of-School Children In Niger Over Insecurity, Says FG

The Federal Government has announced stringent measures that would end banditry and terrorism, which have forced about 11,000 pupils out-of-school and 400 schools closed in Niger State.

Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu who stated this while presenting starter packs to Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) at Gwade in Shiroro local council, expressed concern over increased number of out-of-school children in Niger State, reminding that education is fundamental towards addressing poverty and other vices in the society.

She said the ministry is here to assess the situation and see how to intervene to change things for the better.

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She said the ministry is considering resettling the IDPs here because of insecurity, adding that the provision to get a resettlement city where displaced persons could live, so that you can be safe and your children can also go back to school.

Edu disclosed that the Federal Government has concluded plans to expand its social register to accommodate and capture IDPs in the various social intervention schemes.

The Niger State Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Alhaji Ahmed Suleiman, said the state currently has 22,071 IDPs in communities affected by banditry.

Suleiman said residents in 11 out of the 25 local councils are currently displaced due to insecurity.

The commissioner added that educational institutions, especially primary and secondary schools, which serve as temporary shelter for the displaced persons, are now over stretched while children’s academic programmes are being disrupted.

He said IDPs in the various camps in Kontagora, Mariga, Mashegu, Rijau, Rafi, Mokwa and Munya local councils lack shelter and other critical social amenities like water, medical, educational and toilet facilities.