President Bola Tinubu has urged state governments to reconsider establishing boarding schools in remote or under-protected areas, citing the rising risk of attacks on students.
His warning follows recent mass kidnappings in Niger, Kebbi, and other parts of the country.
In a statement on Wednesday, the President stressed that poorly located boarding institutions are increasingly vulnerable to armed groups.
“States should rethink establishing boarding schools in remote areas without adequate security,” he said.
Tinubu also called on mosques and churches to seek police and security protection during gatherings, especially in vulnerable areas.
He assured Nigerians that his administration will continue efforts to secure the remaining students of St. Mary’s Catholic School in Niger State and other Nigerians still held hostage.
On Tuesday, he announced the safe release of the 24 remaining schoolgirls in Kebbi State.
Meanwhile, the FCT Commissioner of Police, Miller Dantawaye, said security agencies have launched an aggressive intelligence-gathering network with schools across Abuja as part of the newly relaunched Operation Sweep.
The initiative aims to protect schools and religious institutions from kidnappers and other criminals.
“Schools are being profiled, patrolled, and secured. We are building confidence in them,” Dantawaye said, adding that two recent security scares at Veritas University and Government Secondary School, Tunga Maje, were false alarms.
He warned residents against spreading unverified information and emphasized real-time reporting.
The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, condemned the unauthorized issuance of a circular directing schools to shut down, describing it as a dangerous administrative breach.
He assured parents that no threat justifies closing schools and that security agencies are actively ensuring student safety.
The Education Secretary responsible for the memo has been suspended, with further disciplinary action pending.
In response to the resurgence of school abductions nationwide, the NGO Unique Care and Support Foundation called on the governments of Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states to implement strong, coordinated measures to protect learners and teachers.
Benjamin John, Executive Director of CASFOD, condemned the recent abductions, including the kidnapping of students and teachers from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Niger State, 25 schoolgirls in Maga, Kebbi State, and 13 young women in Askira-Uba, Borno State.
He stressed that repeated attacks threaten Nigeria’s educational system and societal stability.
John urged security agencies to take decisive action to rescue abducted children and educators and to prevent further attacks.
“Children are the future of this country, and their safety directly determines the strength of our national development,” he said.
He called for collaborative efforts to ensure safe learning spaces and reaffirmed the NGO’s commitment to protecting children’s right to education and security.
Credit: punchng.com
