The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has raised urgent concerns over the relentless armed attacks on schools across the nation by criminal elements.Â
Calling upon both federal and state governments, the union emphasized the critical need for a lasting solution to this alarming trend.
In an exclusive interview, Dr. Mike Ene, the Secretary-General of NUT, expressed dismay over the increasing frequency of attacks by terrorists, bandits, and other criminal factions targeting schools and abducting students and teachers.
He labeled this situation as completely unacceptable, noting that institutions ranging from primary to university levels have now become vulnerable targets for these perpetrators, viewing them as sources of easy monetary gains.
Dr. Ene stressed the imperative for government at all levels to awaken from complacency and prioritize the safety of students, teachers, and all citizens, along with their property.
He urged for a declaration of a state of emergency in school security nationwide, citing the unfortunate prolonged captivity of the Chibok school girls as a glaring example of the dire consequences of such attacks.
Moreover, he highlighted the cascading effects of these assaults, not only inflicting direct harm on the kidnapped individuals and their families but also exacerbating the issue of out-of-school children, particularly in the northern regions.
Many parents, especially in troubled states like Kaduna, Borno, Katsina, Zamfara, Benue, Plateau, and Adamawa, are increasingly hesitant to enroll their children in schools out of fear of ransom kidnappings they cannot afford.
Dr. Ene proposed the establishment of community policing as a more effective approach to combating this menace, emphasizing that residents are better equipped to monitor and safeguard their communities compared to outsiders unfamiliar with the terrain.
Similarly, Haruna Danjuma, the National President of the National Parent-Teacher Association of Nigeria (NPAN), echoed these sentiments in an interview with the Nigerian Tribune.
He called upon the Federal Government to make meaningful investments in enhancing security structures around educational institutions, underscoring that a peaceful school environment is indispensable for effective teaching and learning.
In addition to urging for the release of the remaining Chibok and Dapchi schoolgirls and other abducted individuals, Danjuma emphasized the profound impact of heightened insecurity on education in the country, urging the government to acknowledge and address this pressing issue.
