Toba Owojaiye reportingÂ
Abuja , NigeriaÂ
Amidst the backdrop of a growing concern in the resurgence of mass abduction of schoolchildren, the Federal Government has issued a grave warning, identifying 14 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, as susceptible to attacks by bandits and insurgents.
Truth Live News gathered that the National Coordinator of Financing Safe Schools in Nigeria, Hajia Halima Iliya, confirmed the collection of data on at-risk schools for intervention measures, although she refrained from disclosing the specific states.
However, Hammed Abodunrin, the Commander of the National Safe Schools Response Coordination Centre, divulged that the vulnerable states encompass Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Benue, Yobe, Katsina, FCT, Kebbi, Sokoto, Plateau, Zamfara, and three others.
The alarming reality persists as no fewer than 465 pupils, teachers, and women remain in captivity following abductions in the past week.
Recent incidents include the kidnapping of 15 pupils from an Islamiya school in Sokoto State, occurring within days of the abduction of 287 schoolchildren and teachers from LEA primary and Government Secondary Schools in Kaduna State. Notably, 28 individuals managed to escape, yet 259 remain in captivity. Preceding the Kaduna incident, terrorists seized 200 female Internally Displaced Persons in Borno State.
Regarding the states deemed at risk, Abodunrin elaborated on the proactive steps taken, revealing, “These are the states where the state governments have submitted the list of vulnerable schools to Safe School Financing and some of them have already donated Response centres to NSCDC for coordination.
Some commit to including Safe School in their budgets for the centre to commence operations.” He emphasized the cooperation sought from all state commissioners for finance, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
Additional states like Gombe, Kano, Osun, and Taraba have also been drawn into the fold, as confirmed by state commands of the NSCDC engaged in the Safe School Initiative implementation. Meanwhile, the Presidency has framed the recent spate of kidnappings as part of a broader conspiracy aimed at undermining President Bola Tinubu’s government.
Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, emphasized the administration’s commitment to action, noting progress made in securing regions previously plagued by unrest. Ngelale assured the public of the government’s vigilance, highlighting support received from the US government to address the ongoing crisis and secure the release of abducted schoolchildren.
This sobering narrative highlights the urgent need for cohesive action and strategic interventions to safeguard the nation’s educational institutions and protect its vulnerable population against the escalating threat of abduction and insurgency.