By Imisioluwa Afunmiso
The Speaker of the Lagos state house of assembly, Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, has reiterated the need for the establishment of State Police as a strategic solution to Nigeria’s growing insecurity, particularly attacks on schools and educational personnel.
Obasa made the call while addressing members of the (NUT), Lagos State Wing, who staged a peaceful protest at the Assembly complex to condemn the recent abduction of teachers and students in Oyo State.
The Speaker assured teachers across the country of the Assembly’s support, expressing sympathy with educators and families affected by the wave of kidnappings targeting schools.
“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,” Obasa said.
Leading the protest, Lagos NUT Chairman, Comrade Hassan Akintoye, lamented the recurring attacks on schools and educational institutions across the country, describing the trend as a serious threat to learning and national development.
Akintoye recalled major incidents such as the 2014 abduction of the schoolgirls in the community and the kidnapping of students in , noting that many victims and their families continue to suffer the consequences of those tragedies.
He also referenced the recent kidnapping of teachers and students in Oyo State, which reportedly led to the death of a teacher and the maltreatment of several students, further heightening fears among teachers nationwide.
The union urged governments at all levels to secure the release of those abducted and implement effective measures to guarantee the safety of teachers and students across schools in the country.
“Schools must remain centres of learning and not theatres of violence and criminality,” Akintoye stated.
Responding, Obasa reaffirmed the Assembly’s long-standing advocacy for State Police, arguing that decentralised policing would strengthen community security and improve intelligence gathering.
According to him, the support of the President for the initiative offers hope that meaningful progress can be made in tackling insecurity nationwide.
The Speaker also cautioned content creators and social media users against the spread of false and misleading information capable of creating panic and undermining security efforts.
He called on the government, security agencies, traditional institutions, parents, and civil society groups to work collectively to ensure schools remain safe environments for teaching and learning.
The protest comes amid increasing concerns over attacks on schools and educational communities in different parts of the country, with stakeholders demanding stronger measures to protect lives and safeguard the nation’s education sector.