Plateau warns schools over alleged Black Axe plan to recruit primary and secondary students through a fake NGO cover.
The ministry has directed school proprietors, principals, zonal directors and area education officers to heighten surveillance within schools and immediately report any suspicious activities to security agencies.
If confirmed, the alleged recruitment drive represents a significant security concern, particularly as authorities across Nigeria continue efforts to combat cultism, youth violence and criminal recruitment within educational institutions.
The warning was issued on behalf of the Commissioner for Education, Hon. Dr. Kacholom Gang, through the ministry's Deputy Director of Public-Private Partnership.
According to an official circular titled "Black Axe Confraternity Plans to Recruit Primary-Secondary School Children in Plateau State," intelligence available to the ministry suggests that the secret cult intends to embark on a coordinated recruitment exercise across several states of the federation, including Plateau.
The ministry stated that the planned exercise is allegedly connected to activities marking the confraternity's Founder's Day, during which new leaders are expected to emerge across various chapters.
The Ministry of Education urged all public and private schools to strengthen internal monitoring mechanisms and remain alert to individuals or organisations seeking access to students under questionable circumstances.
School administrators were advised to:
Monitor unusual activities involving students.
Verify organisations requesting access to schools.
Report suspicious movements or meetings to security agencies.
Work closely with parents and community leaders to safeguard learners.
The ministry stressed that early detection and prompt reporting would be critical in preventing any attempt to recruit children into cult activities.
Education authorities assured parents that the state government remains committed to protecting children and ensuring that schools remain safe environments dedicated to learning.
The ministry said it would continue collaborating with law enforcement and other security agencies to prevent educational institutions from becoming targets for criminal or cult-related activities.
Officials also emphasised the need for collective vigilance from teachers, parents, religious organisations and host communities.
The warning comes amid growing national concern over the infiltration of criminal networks into schools and the increasing vulnerability of young people to recruitment by cult groups and organised criminal organisations.
Security experts have long warned that cult groups often exploit social gatherings, youth organisations and other seemingly legitimate platforms to recruit new members.
An early warning system, such as the one issued by the Plateau Ministry of Education, is intended to help schools detect potential threats before they escalate.
The intelligence alert highlights a security challenge that extends beyond the classroom.
While schools are primarily centres for learning, they have increasingly become targets for a range of criminal activities, including cult recruitment, drug abuse, violent extremism and kidnapping.
Whether or not the alleged recruitment plan materialises, the advisory reflects a proactive approach by the Plateau State Government to prevent young people from being drawn into criminal networks.
For communities across the Middle Belt, protecting children now requires more than academic instruction. It demands stronger partnerships between schools, parents, community leaders and security agencies to identify emerging threats early and preserve educational institutions as safe spaces for learning.
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