The Plateau State Government has ordered the immediate temporary closure of all public and private primary and secondary schools across the state following suspected cases of diphtheria.

The directive takes effect from Monday, September 7, 2026, and will remain in place until further notice.

The government announced the decision in a statement issued on Saturday and signed by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Joyce Lohya Ramnap.

According to the statement, suspected cases of diphtheria have been recorded in Jos North, Wase, Jos South and Bassa Local Government Areas.

Schools that had already resumed academic activities were also directed to shut down from Monday.

The government urged school proprietors, administrators and teachers to comply with the directive, while parents and guardians were advised to keep pupils and students at home throughout the closure.

It said the measure was precautionary and aimed at protecting pupils, students and school staff amid concerns over the suspected infections.

The government added that further information on the resumption of academic activities would be communicated to the public in due course.