The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has accused the country’s internal security system of total collapse, blaming repeated school abductions on intelligence failures, poor coordination, and leadership complacency.
In a scathing statement issued on Wednesday, NANS National President, Olushola Oladoja, declared the multi-billion naira Safe School Initiative ineffective despite years of funding and government assurances.
“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,” Oladoja said.
He added: “Too many schools had fallen to terrorists under circumstances that pointed to poor coordination, intelligence lapses, and leadership complacency.”
The student leader singled out the police leadership for presiding over what he termed “a broad internal security collapse” that has emboldened terrorists to repeatedly target schools.
Oladoja warned that Nigeria must stop rewarding incompetence in matters affecting lives and national stability.
Citing the recent attack on a school in Kebbi State, where terrorists struck minutes after a reported military withdrawal, NANS raised alarm over possible internal sabotage.
The body demanded that the National Security Adviser, Minister of Defence, Chief of Defence Staff, and Service Chiefs immediately constitute a high-level investigation panel.
“The panel must examine security lapses, command failures, and reasons for repeated troop withdrawals shortly before major attacks,” Oladoja stated.
