A security expert, Mr Olaniyi Daniel, has warned that the rising cases of abduction of school children and teachers across the country pose serious threats to education and national security.
Daniel, the owner of Premier Guard Security Ltd, made the observation on Tuesday in Lagos, in reaction to recent incidents of abduction involving pupils.
He called for urgent and coordinated measures to prevent the recurring attacks on schools, particularly in vulnerable and remote communities.
According to him, schools should no longer be left without adequate security structures in view of the increasing attacks targeting students and teachers.
He urged the government at all levels to strengthen security around schools through the deployment of trained security personnel, installation of surveillance systems and regular security patrols.
“We need proactive security measures to protect schools and ensure that children can learn in a safe environment.
“Community policing should also be encouraged, as residents often have valuable information that can help security agencies prevent attacks before they occur,” he said.
Daniel also called for improved intelligence gathering and information sharing among security agencies to ensure swift response to security threats.
He emphasised the need for full implementation of the Safe School Initiative introduced to protect learning institutions from attacks.
According to him, many schools, especially in rural areas, still lack perimeter fencing, emergency response plans and adequate security personnel.
“The safety of children must remain a top priority. Parents are becoming increasingly fearful of sending their children to school because of these repeated abductions,” he said.
Daniel advised school authorities to regularly organise security awareness programmes for teachers and students on emergency response procedures.
He also urged prompt prosecution of perpetrators and stronger collaboration among security agencies and communities to improve security response.