Borno schools closed fearing extremists

Police officers stand guard in front of the burnt-out remains of homes and businesses in the village of Konduga, in north-eastern Nigeria, after an attack by Boko Haram fighters. Boko Haram gunmen reportedly attacked a boarding school overnight on Tuesday, killing 29 pupils, according to police and the military. File picture: AFP

Police officers stand guard in front of the burnt-out remains of homes and businesses in the village of Konduga, in north-eastern Nigeria, after an attack by Boko Haram fighters. Boko Haram gunmen reportedly attacked a boarding school overnight on Tuesday, killing 29 pupils, according to police and the military. File picture: AFP

Published Mar 18, 2014

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Maiduguri, Nigeria - School officials and teachers say Borno state government has ordered the closure of all high schools amid fears of attacks by Islamic extremists.

About 100 000 students at 85 schools are affected.

The closures point to the military's failure to suppress an Islamic uprising in northeast Nigeria, and may be considered a victory by the Boko Haram terrorist network whose nickname means “Western education is forbidden.”

Officials and teachers spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of being fired.

They said closures were supposed to happen on Friday but were delayed by extremists attacking the main army barracks in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital, and freeing dozens of detained fighters.

The latest school attack killed 59 students last month in neighbouring Yobe state. - Sapa-AP

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