The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has stated that Nigeria’s internal security system has failed in its primary responsibility of protecting citizens and ensuring safe learning environments.
The NANS National President, Olushola Oladoja, said the Safe School Initiative had remained ineffective despite huge funding and repeated government promises, according to a statement he personally signed on Wednesday.
Oladoja lamented that for more than 10 years, the nation had witnessed a “cycle of grief” without justice, reform, or assurances that students were safe in their classrooms.
The statement partly read, “Too many schools had fallen to terrorists under circumstances that pointed to poor coordination, intelligence lapses, and leadership complacency.”
He blamed the police leadership for what he described as a broad internal security collapse that had emboldened terrorists to repeatedly attack schools.
Oladoja warned that Nigeria must stop “rewarding incompetence” in matters affecting lives and national stability.
Referencing the recent Kebbi school attack, he said NANS was worried about possible internal sabotage, noting that terrorists struck minutes after a reported military withdrawal.
He urged the National Security Adviser, Minister of Defence, Chief of Defence Staff, and Service Chiefs to set up a high-level investigation panel to probe alleged insider collaboration.
Oladoja said students nationwide were demanding accountability and a clear, verifiable plan to secure schools, including an immediate overhaul of the Safe School Initiative.
He warned that failure to act would force NANS to begin nationwide civil disobedience, including shutting down highways and airports, as well as peaceful mass demonstrations.
On Monday, armed attackers raided the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, located in Kebbi State’s Danko/Wasagu area, abducting at least 24 schoolgirls and killing the vice-principal.
Just days later, on Friday, gunmen attacked St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Niger State. Hundreds of students and staff were seized during the incident, although 50 students have since escaped.
The PUNCH