Nigeria Raises School Security Alert as Police Warn Terrorists May Target Schools During Resumption
The Nigerian security agencies have stepped up their monitoring of schools after a warning by police that suspected informants and terrorist groups could be carrying out surveillance of schools and other vulnerable areas ahead of the resumption of the 2026/2027 academic session.
The Nigeria Police Force stated that intelligence had shown that there was an increased mobilization of terrorist elements for possible coordinated attacks on schools, places of worship and NYSC orientation camps. Police formations across the country were instructed to beef up their patrols, access control, intelligence and quick response measures at sensitive sites.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) also reported that it has doubled its intelligence network in learning institutions. The agency said it had thwarted over 100 attempted attacks on schools and urged communities to alert security agencies to suspicious activity.
The alert has raised concerns among parents as children return to classrooms. The National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria (NPTA) representative expressed concern about school safety and urged for improved security measures, such as enhanced technology for identifying threats in schools.
The new warning comes on the heels of ongoing worries over the security of schools in Nigeria. In recent years, there have been reports of inadequate fencing and security staff at many public schools, and this year several school attacks and abductions have occurred involving children and teachers.
Schools, parents and communities are being asked to be vigilant and provide up-to-date details of suspicious persons, vehicles or movements to security agencies.
The new security measures are designed to ensure that children can return to school to learn and to minimise risks around schools during the new academic year.
