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.

The directive, announced by the state Commissioner for Information, Joyce Ramnap, will take effect on Monday, September 7, 2026, and remain in place until further notice.

The affected schools include those that had already resumed for the new academic term. Government officials have directed school proprietors, administrators, teachers and parents to ensure that pupils and students stay at home during the closure.

The precautionary measure follows suspected diphtheria infections reported in Jos North, Wase, Jos South and Bassa Local Government Areas.

Health authorities have stepped up surveillance and response activities in the affected communities as they work to identify possible cases and prevent further spread of the disease.

The state government said the closure would help reduce children’s exposure while health teams carry out contact tracing, vaccination activities and decontamination in areas where suspected infections have been recorded.

Diphtheria is a contagious bacterial infection that can spread through respiratory droplets and close contact. Schools and other crowded environments can facilitate transmission, particularly when vaccination coverage is inadequate.

The government has therefore urged residents to cooperate with health officials and take preventive measures seriously as efforts continue to contain the suspected outbreak.