•Parents panic, say incidents worsen out-of-school children crisis

By Gabriel Dike; Scholastica Hir, Makurdi; Sola Ojo, Abuja; Lateef Dada, Osogbo; Tony John, Port Harcourt and George Onyejiuwa, Owerri

This is certainly not the best of times for the nation’s educational system, specifically, primary and secondary schools. They have come under heavy and increased attacks from terrorists, leading to abduction of many students and some teachers.

Panic and anxiety have caught up with

parents as the resurgence of banditry attacks on schools in the North surges on. Parents and security experts warned that if the trend was not tackled, it might worsen the out-of-school children crisis and disrupt the educational system.

Academic activities in many schools have been disrupted. Federal and some state governments shut down schools to avert further abduction. Kaduna State had to rush exams for its pupils and sent them on a forced vacation for the term.

In November alone 25 students of Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, Kebbi State, were abducted. Few days later, St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary School, Papiri, Niger State was raided and 315 students abducted.

Parents, security experts react

A parent in Makurdi, Benue State, Rev Jonathan Ugbede urged government to show the political will in fighting insurgency across the country. He is also state Vice Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN): “At this time of high technological devices it’s difficult to accept that insurgents are invincible as claimed by security operatives. They should be tracked and made to face justice.

“The implications of the menace are numerous. First the younger generation will be uneducated especially children of those that cannot afford sending their children abroad. The earlier the menace is arrested the better.

“Secondly, the psychological trauma experienced by the affected young minds can only be imagined. Some of them may not recover from the experience while others may become wayward with time in order to avenge the wickedness perpetuated on them.

“Closure of schools is not the solution to the issue. Federal Government should rise up to its responsibilities, as finding a way out of the quagmire is better.”

Mr. Faith Aibangbee: “On the immediate, the security forces need to identify those vulnerable schools and set their base in the school area while they go after the criminals. Parents now consider sending their children to school is a risk. They rather have their children stay home. This has greatly increased the number of out-of-school children especially in rural areas. 

“For those abducted, with no freedom in sight, I can only imagine the agony they go through and of their parents. This has impacted negatively on those with siblings, with regards to education and going to school.

“For those who gained freedom, the trauma will continue to remain. Some of them, especially the girls, are raped; some are forcefully introduced to hard drugs and all manner of ills. As a parent, it is unthinkable to even imagine a child going through such pain.”

Dr Adakole Elijah said: “The exigencies of the current situation necessitate that government forthwith institute a robust and impenetrable cordon sanitaria around all educational institutions, thereby ensuring the sacrosanct of the students’ right to unimpeded access to knowledge.

“Concomitant with this imperative, it is incumbent upon the authorities to deploy an imposing phalanx of armed military personnel, thereby establishing an intimidating presence that would efficaciously deter any would-be malefactors from perpetrating heinous acts of abduction.

“Furthermore, schools deemed vulnerable to such nefarious activities be forthwith shut and the students relocated to more secure and protected environs to prevent any potential threats to their safety and well-being. Prudence dictates that we eschew any semblance of temerity in this regard, and instead, prioritize the sanctity of human life and the inalienable right to education.

“The scourge of banditry and kidnapping, particularly the heinous abduction of students, has precipitated a calamitous escalation of violent crime, besetting our nation with an unprecedented peril. The most egregious aspect of this atrocity is the deliberate targeting of innocent school children, thereby engendering a pervasive sense of trepidation and despondency within the educational milieu.

“This menace threaten to precipitate a catastrophic surge in dropout rates, as the children, erstwhile eager learners, now succumb to an existential angst, bereft of the courage to pursue their academic aspirations. The insidious implosion of this scourge will dissuade parents from entrusting their wards to the care of educational institutions, thereby precipitating a lamentable proliferation of illiterate cohorts.

“The precipitous decision to effect the closure of certain educational institutions is a laudable and sagacious measure, bespoke of a government attuned to the pulsating angst of its citizenry. This drastic yet efficacious stratagem is poised to stem the insidious tide of abductions that has, lamentably, ensnared our innocent children, thereby reifying their vulnerability and transforming them into unwitting targets of this odious menace.”

A security expert, Mrs. Buduka Johnson: “An urgent action is required to stem the tide. The safe schools initiative under the personnel of NSCDC is responsible to tackle the insecurity in schools. The solution is not a one-stop approach.

“In attacking a school, the abductors take into consideration the location of the schools. In addition, criminals will look at where it is safe for them to attack.”

Group Capt Steven Adah (rtd), said: “First, there is need to educate the kids to be very vigilant and report any unusual movements to the school authorities immediately and there is also the need to conduct some kind of drill, like an emergency response drill for the students.

“At an Air Force School in a remote place in Ibadan, Oyo State, where I worked as the Commandant, we were right in the middle of the bush. We conducted a drill for them in case of an attack; what they were supposed to do and what they were not supposed to do. The kids knew what to do whenever we had those kind of situations.

“Secondly, there are experts who are very good in the school system protection. There are gadgets you can use to secure the schools. It is not a too complex technology, so if the government is not pretending, paying lip service and are serious, they can explore such technologies.

“The implication of the menace is huge. Parents will be afraid of sending their kids to school because it’s when the kids are alive that they can study. So if I send my wards to school and they’re going to die there it’s better to stay with me at home to see them and if the kids are not going to school it will also have a long term effect on the society generally.

“These social vices will definitely increase in the very near future if these kids are no longer educated in school because of this security and it will also in a long run affect the man power skills the country need for economic and all kinds of development we aspire to achieve.

“I am not in support of total shutdown of schools. We should look at the flash points where they’re likely to be abduction. Then you can as well move those students from there to a different location. Because I think the curriculum is the same so you cannot shutdown completely because there’s insecurity that’s a wrong approach.”

In Kaduna, Kaduna State, a concerned parent, Mrs. Angela Okafor, stressed: “Security must be the foremost priority in the country’s education system. Many schools, especially in rural and hard-to-reach communities, lack adequate protection, with elderly guards often left to secure large compounds located far from police formations. How can such vulnerable personnel effectively safeguard children in high-risk areas

“Continued insecurity around schools has far-reaching consequences. Many parents may become unwilling to send their children to school for fear of abduction, worsening the already high number of out-of-school children in the country.

“For the abducted children, the psychological and emotional impacts could be severe and long-lasting, government and school authorities should ensure that rescued children receive comprehensive psychosocial support, including medical check-ups and therapy from qualified psychologists to help them recover from the trauma.

“Closing schools does not address the root problem. It can further disadvantage communities already struggling with literacy and development. Instead,  government should significantly strengthen security around educational institutions.”

Mr. Muhammed Danlami: “School security architecture must be completely overhauled to meet current realities. There should be round-the-clock surveillance systems, including 24-hour CCTV cameras monitored by trained personnel. There is also need for strong perimeter fencing equipped with electric barriers powered from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. As a country, we have the resources to secure our children.

“I advocate the use of renewable energy solutions. Schools should be illuminated with solar-powered lighting bright like a soccer pitch. Government should establish a special security force dedicated solely to safeguarding schools across the nation.

“The attacks can worsen the out-of-school children crisis, particularly in the Northe, where many parents may withdraw their children over fear of abduction. This as a looming national disaster.

“Citizens’ lives must remain a priority. However, shutting schools would amount to conceding defeat and making a mockery of the nation’s resilience.”

Another parent, Mr. Shindong Bala, said: “Taking the war to the bandits’ den and putting checks on all potential threats would be the best way to address the menace.

“Secondly, let there be regular surveillance in and around the schools with communication gadgets for any eventuality. Nigeria has the financial capacity to implement any security requirements to protect our students.

“The repercussions include what we are already witnessing, where schools are being closed down. Nigeria’s educational future is becoming uncertain. School closure is a sign that the government cannot curtail the security situation, and they are denying it.”

Another security expert, Mr. Donald Osaro, said: “The sudden rise in abduction of students is a worrisome development and may threaten their performances in internal and external exams. Something doesn’t add up here. How do they take the many students to their hideout without anybody raising alarm?

“Psychologically, the students and teachers will be traumatised. The abduction will affect their academic performances, increase in dropouts and will create fear for a long time. Government must ensure the safety of the children in either public or private schools through the Safe School Initiative (SSI) under the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).”

Mrs. Yetunde Adesola, a government worker with two kids in a private school in Osun State, said: “In the last four weeks, I have been in constant touch with the school management. I have not been able to sleep well. Reactions of most parents in the school WhatsApp platform show that many are apprehensive and are monitoring the school on a regular basis.

“My fear is based on the fact that the state shares boundary with Kwara State, which of lately has experienced bandit attacks. I speak to the school two or three times a day and the same thing with other parents. Schools in certain states are no longer safe for learning.”

A security expert, Jackson Ojo: “The situation indicates that the government is overwhelmed by insecurity. The long-term psychological effects of abductions on students can discourage school enrollment and attendance.

“The state governors, who are supposed to be the chief security officers in their states, have lost hope in the Federal Government, which handles military and paramilitary forces. The ongoing violence can increase the number of out-of-school children and lead to widespread psychological trauma among students.

“We need a discreet security summit involving stakeholders from the military and traditional institutions. Government’s tendency to publicly disclose its security strategies, suggests that such transparency gives potential bandits an advantage. When you reveal your strategy, you allow them to counteract it. They are monitoring the news just like we do.”

Mrs. Ayo Odungweru, a media practitioner, said: “Schools in volatile areas should have strict security measures put in place. If possible, CCTV should be installed in the areas. Security is paramount and those that come in and go out of the school premises should be monitored. Before the child would be brought to school, there should be proper check-up of the person bringing the child to school. In that way, the safety of the child and school is secured.

“School security personnel at the gate should be versatile and well-trained. As parents, we should teach our children how to be security conscious. There should be an emergency exit gate in case of security threat. There should not be only a gate in the school.

“We should note that this abduction of school children would make them afraid to go to school. This is because the trauma children who had experienced such crime at that age, live with fear and trauma for years. Government should work in conjunction with local security vigilance group to  put measures in place, so that such incidents of abduction, will not take place again.”

Another parent, Mrs. Anita Ogonna, a journalist: “We need home-schooling as part of solutions to curbing banditry in the North. Bandits are using children as shields to carry out attacks. It is going to negatively affect education in the Nigeria.

“It will be a big problem to the Ministry of Education. Maybe, the ministry will give the children a soft-landing, so that the can sit for examination and pass. But, it will affect their education foundation. If school closure happens here (South-South), I won’t send my child to school. I can’t send my child to school in the North.

“In fact, the security of my child is more paramount than any school. I believe one can go to school anytime. You cannot get life back once it is taken. I have been a victim of kidnap. So, I know how it is when you’re forcefully taken away from your family. I don’t wish it to anybody.”

In Imo State, Mr .Ibekwe Paulinus said: “The abduction of students by bandits could be psychological devasting to those affected and even for their parents, who are not certain whether they will return alive or not. Look at the Chibok girls, majority are still in captivity or have become the wives of their captors.

“Therefore , I support the closure of schools in the interim. Even though it is not the best for the education of the students . It is when your alive that you can talk about going to school. Again , it is a failure on the part of the government not to protect students.

“Nevertheless, I supports the closure of schools in the interim at least the safety of the students should be of  paramount importance. You wouldn’t understand the anxiety and emotional trauma that parents whose children are abducted go through.”

Similarly, Mrs. Agnes Njoku, a matron, said: “The closure of schools may not be the best because it will significantly disrupt their educational calendar. But it’s better than students and their teachers being  killed or kidnapped. The recent events in Niger and Kebbi states are frightening. As a mother it is both psychological and emotionally devastating because you can’t sleep as you don’t know whether your child is dead or alive.

“Unfortunately, the Federal Government has been playing politics with the issue of insecurity for several years. If they are serious the issue would have been reduced to its barest minimum. But they aren’t doing that because their kids are schooling abroad where it is safe. It is really unfortunate.”

Vitalis Ogwuwike was once a victim of kidnapping: “As somebody who was a victim of kidnapping in the state, I knew the psychological trauma I suffered for the two weeks I was in captivity.”

Ike Ehirim, a security expert and consultant said: “Shutting down schools by government is a defeatist approach. Leadership failure is the major reasons why insecurity has festered in the country. Shutting down schools by the government is a panic and defeatist approach.

“Today, some state shares their sovereignty with non-state actors and the government negotiating with the so called bandits/terrorists. The Federal Government spent billions of Naira to train police officers in Abuja for their safe school programme. So, where are they today? Here in Imo state I have only  seen Hilux written police school protection that is all.

“Some security personnel have said that most of the times they have been asked to stand down whenever they are poised to pounce on the bandits. Who are those who issue such orders ? We have to query who are those in charge of security, what are their backgrounds, where are the coming from? The Tucano jets which the country bought from the USA to what use have the security agencies put them to effect ?

“We have the air superiority but we have failed to use it against the bandits  because today’s warfare is air. How have we used to tackle the insecurity? The save school initiatives where billions was spent. What has happened to the initiative? The major problem is total failure of leadership.”