Schools In 14 States and FCT, Abuja Under Threat, Warns FG: A Critical Alert On National Security And The Immediate Need For Action In Nigerian Educational Institutions

Source: The Punch Newspaper Nigeria

Resurgence of Mass Abductions

• Authors: Gift Habib and Stephen Angbulu bring attention to the Nigerian Federal Government’s warning that schools in 14 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are now facing an increased risk of attacks by bandits and insurgents. This comes in the wake of a disturbing trend of mass abductions targeting students.

States at Risk

• Identified States: The specific states mentioned as being at risk include Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Benue, Yobe, Katsina, FCT, Kebbi, Sokoto, Plateau, Zamfara, and three unnamed states. These areas are identified based on intelligence and patterns of previous attacks.

Recent Abductions

• A staggering number of pupils, teachers, and women, totaling 465, were reported abducted in the past week, with many still in captivity. Highlighted incidents include the abduction of 15 pupils from an Islamiya school in Sokoto State and over 287 individuals from schools in the Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

• Total Number of Abductions: No fewer than 465 pupils, teachers, and women were abducted.
• Specific Incidents:
  • Fifteen pupils from an Islamiya school in Sokoto State were kidnapped.
  • Prior to this, 287 schoolchildren and teachers were abducted from the LEA primary school and the Government Secondary School, both at Kuriga, in the Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State. Out of these, 28 managed to escape, leaving 259 in captivity.
  • Additionally, 200 female Internally Displaced Persons were abducted in Borno State while fetching firewood in the bush. Reports later indicated that nine of them regained freedom, leaving 191 in captivity.

These figures highlight a concerning spike in the abduction of children and others in various regions, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced security measures and interventions.

Safe Schools Initiative

• In response to the growing threat, the article details the Safe Schools Initiative, which includes school-based interventions, community efforts to protect schools, and special measures for at-risk populations. The initiative, supported by a combined $20 million from the government and the private sector, along with an additional N15 billion budgeted for 2023, aims to fortify schools against these attacks.

Government Response and Implementation

• Implementation Efforts: Hajia Halima Iliya and Hammed Abodunrin discuss the ongoing efforts to implement the Safe Schools Initiative, including training for security personnel, the establishment of the National Safe Schools Response Coordination Centre, and the selection of at-risk schools for intervention.
• State Involvement: Over 11 states have responded to calls for integrating Safe Schools into their budgets, demonstrating a commitment to addressing this crisis through improved physical infrastructure and other control measures.

Community and International Support

• Community Awareness: The need for heightened awareness and cooperation within communities is emphasized, alongside initiatives to train students and teachers in personal safety and protection.
• International Support: The Federal Government acknowledges receiving support from the United States to help address the crisis and secure the release of abducted students.

Calls for Legislative Reform

• The article concludes with a mention of proposed legislative reforms, including the controversial suggestion of capital punishment for kidnappers, as part of a robust response to deter future abductions and secure the nation’s educational institutions.

Through this detailed report by Habib and Angbulu, the urgency of the situation is made clear, underscoring the imperative for immediate action to safeguard Nigeria’s future generations from the threat of abduction and ensure the safety of educational spaces across the country.

Read the full article via this link: https://childreninfobank.com/safebank/schools-in-14-states-fct-risk-attacks-says-fg/

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