Safe School Commander Says 70% Of Schools Lack Security.

National Safe School Response Coordination Centre Commander, Hameed Abodunrin, says the lack of security officers, perimeter fences, and any other security measures to safeguard schools across the country.

Abodunrin, who disclosed this in Abuja while discussing the issue of the various kidnapping incidences said, approximately 70 per cent of Nigerian schools are without adequate security measures, making them susceptible to frequent kidnapping incidents.

This is coming after the United Nations Children’s Fund said, over 1,680 children were abducted and about 180 killed in attacks on Nigerian schools by non-state actors in the last 10 years, while, some of the schools affected were the Government Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State; Government Girls’ Science and Technical College in Dapchi, Yobe State; Government Science College in Kagara, Niger State; and the Apostolic Faith Group of Schools, Emure, Ekiti State, among others.

Abodunrin also said, the essence of the center is to coordinate the efforts of various stakeholders, including security agencies and educational authorities, to address the deficiencies, stating that, initially, schools were hesitant to register with the national database, fearing additional taxation, but the focus has shifted towards enhancing their security through better coordination and rapid response capabilities.

He called on state governments to ensure that all schools across the country were properly registered and protected, adding that the move is part of a broader strategy to enhance the safety of schools and their students across Nigeria, calculated to establish a proactive and responsive security environment amidst rising concerns over the safety of young learners