Boko Haram scare: Lagos schools cancel morning assemblies, gates shut

Education authorities in Lagos state may have directed schools not to hold normal early morning assembly sessions because of fear of attacks by Boko Haram terrorists.

Some teachers in public schools in the state told our correspondent that principals and head teachers have stopped morning assemblies and have instructed that the exercise be held in individual classrooms.

On Friday, there was palpable fear in schools around Okota and Ejigbo as news went round that Boko Haram sent letters to some schools not to open for academic activities. This led to panic among students and teachers.

‘’Since the start of this semester, we have not been holding morning assemblies. It is now done in the classrooms. Our principal told teachers that it was because Boko Haram was targeting public gatherings, which includes pupils for morning assembly”, one of the teachers revealed.

The teachers also confirmed that school gates are now closely monitored while parents and visitors are screened before being allowed in, all in attempt to avert any possible attack by the terror group.

One of the teachers at a public school near a popular Catholic church in Okota told our correspondent that the school and area was thrown into confusion when information spread round that a letter from Boko Haram was received by the school authority.

According to the teacher, academic activities in the school were hurriedly brought to an end while some parents rushed to pick their wards. Security personnel were later deployed to the school.

While a teacher at a public school in Ejigbo confirmed that because of the fear of Boko Haram, morning assemblies had stopped being observed and school gates were under lock and key.

“The situation is my school is one of fear and apprehension. The principal and teachers have taken extra measures because of the fear of the insurgents attacking schools during morning assembly”, she noted.

The Public Relations Officer of the state Ministry of Education, Mr. Jide Lawal, when contacted, promised to get back to our correspondent but a latter text message to his phone was not acknowledged.