The Kogi State Government has ordered the closure of all public and private schools in the state from November 18 to 23.
The Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Education, Alhaji Adamu Sheidu, confirmed today in Lokoja that the order affects only all primary and secondary schools in the state.
He said that the step became necessary as many of the schools will serve as temporary camps for security agents being deployed to the state for the November 21 governorship election.
Sheidu said the closure order, which came into effect on Tuesday, will last till Monday.
The spokesman advised parents and guardians to take note of the development and keep watch on the movement of their children during the period of the election.
He also warned proprietors of private secondary and primary schools in the state against violating the order.
The Inspector-General of Police, Sunday Arase, had yesterday in Lokoja announced that 12,000 policemen will be deployed for the election.
According to Arase, a unit of mobile policemen will be sent to each of the 21 local government councils in the state.
He explained that a Deputy Inspector General of Police, one Assistant Inspector-General of Police and no fewer than three Police Commissioners will be on the ground to coordinate the operation. [myad]
