The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, has stated that the administration of President Bola Tinubu will give special attention to the safety and security of students and schools in the country.
Ribadu stated this on Wednesday, August 9 in Abuja at a Strategic Forum On Achieving Safer Schools organised by the Nigeria Police Force.
The programme was themed, ‘Imperative for a safer teaching and learning environment for the future of Nigeria’s national development: the need for national collective action’.
The programme organizers say it aimed at strengthening synergy amongst security agencies towards tackling the myriads of security challenges including mass kidnapping in schools within the country.
At the Forum, Ribadu said, “Undoubtedly, education has always been the cornerstone of progress in any society and as we strive to build a prosperous country for the future of our children and the generation yet unborn, it is critical that we prioritise the safety and security of our educational institutions at all levels.
The administration of President Bola Tinubu pledged to work with both state and local government authorities to reform and retool the nation’s educational system by giving special attention to security of our schools, welfare and training of teachers and students.”
Mass abduction of students by bandits was one of the major security challenges that confronted the administration of ex-President Muhammadu Buhari.
In February 2021, bandits abducted over 300 schoolgirls in Jangebe in Zamfara State. In the same month, bandits kidnapped dozens of students and workers of Government Science College in Kagara, Niger State.
In 2020, bandits abducted over 300 schoolboys from Government Science Secondary School in Kankara, Katsina State. Aside from Jangebe, Kankara and Kagara, non-state actors previously abducted hundreds of secondary school girls from Chibok, in Borno State; and Dapchi in Yobe State.