Over 7,000 children have been forced out of both primary and secondary schools in Nasarawa State in the wake of armed herdsmen’s attacks in both Benue and Nasarawa states. Affected are schools in Awe, Keana, Obi and Doma local government areas of the state.

This followed the displacement of residents of border communities between Nasarawa and Benue states. It was learnt that over 4,000 children in both primary and secondary schools, particularly in the displaced Tiv communities in Keana and Doma local government areas, have been forced out of school as a result of the crisis. Investigation revealed that the Tiv, who are predominantly farmers and said to be the most populated ethnic group in Doma, Obi, Keana and Awe and Lafia local government areas of the state, are the most affected by the crisis.

The Education Secretary (ES) of Awe Local Government Area, Sale Abubakar Kenje, told our correspondent that about 3,000 primary school pupils, mainly in the Tiv speaking part of the local government, along with other communities in Nasarawa and Benue states had been forced out of school as a result of the herdsmen/ farmers’ conflict.

He, however, said that the presence of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), camped in some pubic primary schools in the area, would not hinder resumption of academic activities. According to him, arrangements will be made to ensure that the presence of the IDPs does not interrupt academic activities in the affected schools. (New Telegraph)