Founder of Omega Power Ministries (OPM), Apostle Chibuzor Chinyere, has temporarily shut all OPM free schools in Northern Nigeria following fresh security concerns.
The clergyman announced the decision in a Facebook post, citing a WhatsApp message he received about an alleged kidnap threat in Nasarawa State.
According to the message shared by Apostle Chibuzor, kidnappers lodging in a hotel had abducted children in the state. The claim triggered panic, with Muslim parents reportedly arriving barefoot at schools to pick up their children.
Pupils were sent home and told to resume on Monday only if the situation was deemed safe.
Reacting to the report, Apostle Chibuzor said the safety of the children comes first, even if the closure is painful.
“So with pains in my heart, I HRM KING APOSTLE CHIBUZOR GIFT CHINYERE is shutting down temporarily all OPM free schools in the northern part of Nigeria until the security situation improves. I know it is painful, but the life of these children are more important,” he wrote.
OPM runs several tuition-free schools across Nigeria, many of them in northern states, catering to children from low-income families.
The clergyman did not state when the schools would reopen, noting that it depends on improvement in security. GWG.
