The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, has reaffirmed the legislature’s commitment to the establishment of state police, as members of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) staged a protest over the recent kidnapping of teachers and students in Oyo State.
Chairman of the NUT, Lagos Chapter, Comrade Hassan Akintoye, who led the protest, condemned the increasing wave of abductions and attacks targeting schools across the country, calling on governments at all levels to take urgent and decisive action to protect educational institutions and their occupants.
“Schools must remain centers of learning and not theaters of violence and criminality,” he said, stressing the need for enhanced security measures to safeguard teachers and students.
Receiving the protesters at the Assembly complex on Tuesday, Obasa expressed solidarity with the teaching profession and assured them of the Assembly’s support in addressing the security challenges confronting the education sector.
“We feel the pains of our teachers, and we sympathise with them. We are indeed in this together, and we will not fold our arms. We are all stakeholders in this situation and must collectively seek solutions that will bring lasting peace and security to our schools and communities,” the Speaker stated.
Obasa reiterated that the Lagos State House of Assembly has consistently advocated for the creation of state police, describing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s support for the initiative as a significant step toward tackling the nation’s security challenges.
He also cautioned social media users against spreading misinformation capable of heightening public fear and anxiety, urging citizens to verify information before sharing it.
The Speaker further called for collective responsibility in safeguarding schools, urging governments, security agencies, traditional institutions, parents, and civil society organisations to work together to ensure that educational institutions remain safe havens for learning rather than targets of criminal activities.
Packaged by Alaba Igbaraola
