The Plateau State Government has ordered the temporary closure of all public and private primary and secondary schools across the state following reports of suspected diphtheria cases in some communities.
Newsonspot reports that the directive, which takes effect on Monday, September 7, 2026, is a precautionary measure aimed at preventing the possible spread of the infectious disease among pupils, students, teachers and other school personnel.
The suspected cases were reported in Jos North, Wase, Jos South and Bassa Local Government Areas, prompting concerns over possible transmission within the affected communities and beyond.
The state government, under the administration of Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, said the measure was necessary to protect residents, particularly children who could be exposed to the infection through close contact in schools.
The Commissioner for Information and Communication, Joyce Lohya Ramnap, announced the decision in a statement issued on Saturday.
According to the directive, the closure applies to both government-owned and privately owned schools. Schools that had already resumed academic activities are also required to suspend operations from Monday and remain closed until further notice.
School proprietors, administrators and teachers have been directed to comply with the order and ensure that pupils and students remain at home throughout the period of the closure.
Parents and guardians have also been urged to keep their children at home and adhere to further instructions from the state government and relevant health authorities.
The government explained that closing schools would help reduce the risk of transmission, given the large number of pupils, students and staff who gather in school environments daily.
Authorities are expected to continue monitoring the situation in the affected local government areas and introduce additional measures if necessary.
The state government also appealed to residents and other stakeholders to cooperate with the precautionary measures as efforts continue to contain the suspected outbreak and prevent its spread to other communities.
The schools will remain closed until the government announces that it is safe for academic activities to resume.
