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Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday issued a stern rebuke over the unauthorized directive ordering government schools in the territory to close, declaring that no such approval was given and describing the act as “unimaginable” and “very unfortunate.”

Wike, who spoke during an inspection tour of ongoing infrastructure works at Guzape II (A11 District) in Abuja, announced the indefinite suspension of the Education Mandate Secretary, alongside sanctions for directors involved in issuing the circular.

“I was watching television last night and I saw a report that the FCT has directed schools to shut down. I couldn’t believe it,” Wike said. “I had to call the Mandate Secretary of Education, who couldn’t even respond.

I later confirmed that a circular went out without our approval. It is unimaginable how people could take such a decision without the head of affairs knowing.”

The Minister emphasized that there was no threat anywhere in the FCT to justify the panic closure.

“We don’t have such a threat that will make us shut down schools,” he stressed. “I even called the Commissioner of Police and other security authorities. This was not on their agenda. Kaduna has never shut down, Nasarawa has never shut down, and Kogi has never shut down. So how could anyone claim we were threatened?

Responding to suggestions that officials may have acted “in anticipation” of security risks, Wike dismissed such explanations as irresponsible.

“How could you have taken such an action in anticipation?” he asked. “Even I cannot do that without informing the President. This is the FCT. Do you know what message that sends? Is Abuja unsafe?”

He assured residents that security agencies are fully in control and schools remain safe.

“The security agencies are doing everything to ensure schools operate normally,” he said. “We will not forgive anybody involved in this.”