Stakeholders in the troubled education sector of Nigeria are calling on the Federal Government to beef- up security around schools across the country in a bid to prevent further attacks on schools by bandits.
This is coming as Kebbi State Government on Sunday donated 10 Hilux vehicles and 30 motorcycles to the Nigeria Police in the state to contain the menace of criminals in the state.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the vehicles were presented to the police at the Cabinet Office, Birnin Kebbi. Presenting the vehicles, Governor Atiku Bagudu said that the gesture was to boost the morale of the police toward tackling insecurity across the state.
Bagudu, who was represented by his Adviser on Security, retired Maj. Garba Rabi’u-Kamba, observed that some states in the North-West region were engulfed by activities of bandits, also explained that Kebbi was not an exception, recalling that the state had experienced security problems especially in its Southern parts, precisely in Yauri and Zuru Emirates.
The governor, who noted that the problem erupted as a result of members of vigilance group known as ‘Yan Sa Kai’ expredded gladness that it was later brought under control. Bagudu said that with the help of the state police command a Mobile Police Unit was established in the area to effectively tackle criminal.activieites.
He encouraged the police and all other security agencies to rise up to the challenges ahead to make Nigeria a safe and conducive place for all citizens.
Responding after receiving the vehicles, Police Commissioner in the state, Adeleke Adeyinka, thanked the government for the support, adding, “on behalf of Inspector-General of Police, I want to appreciate Governor Bagudu and indeed the Kebbi State Government for this kind gesture.
“I want to assure you that the donated items will be judiciously put to use to achieve the desired goals and objectives.”
On issue of Yan Sa Kai, Adeyinka observed that the members of the group were supposed to be friends to the police, “so that we can work together to achieve common goal of safety of lives and property of Nigerians”.
However, the stakeholders made the the appeal on the sideline of the annual general meeting of St Patricks College Old Students Association (SPACOOSA), Iwaro-Oka in Akoko Southwest Local Government Area of Ondo State on Sunday.
Immediate past President of the Association, Dr Patrick Oludare, told the News Agency of Nigeria that it was good to prepare for ‘war’ as a preventive measure ahead of what might come, adding that government should not wait until the kidnapping of students from schools spread across the country before it started providing security in schools.
“My appeal goes strictly to the government most of the schools where kidnapping has taken place have no perimeter fencing. Governments should provide perimeter fence with adequate securitymen, day and night to protect students”.
A traditional ruler, Oba Adedoyin Olokunbola, Onikun of Ikun- Akoko, also said the spate of kidnapping in the country, especially in schools, could affect education in the country, especially in Northern Nigeria
Oba Olokunbola tasked the Federal Government to intervene, as a matter of urgency, saying, “we are in serious problem.”
“The state governments should help with perimeter fencing of schools, as the schools always witnessed incursion from herdsmen.
“If schools are closed because of insecurity, education will be affected, and the future of the country will be affected. So, government should intervene as a matter of urgency,” he said.
Principal, St Patrick College, Iwaro Oka, Olarewaju Akinola, urged the government to help draft military personnel to schools, for students and teachers to have assurance of a safe and a secured learning environment.
Akinola said that students in the school have been instructed to be vigilant and to report strange movements around the school premises.
Also, Parent Teachers Association (PTA) Chairman, Patrick Daramola, also urged the Federal Government to pay attention to the high rate of kidnapping, especially in the schools in the north, before it spreads south.
Daramola said the school has had its fair share of problem with herdsmen grazing their cattle on the school land. He said that recently one of the security guards of the school was attacked by herdsmen.
The principal also appealed to the state government to help with perimeter fencing of the school.
