THE Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), has mapped out strategies to commence nationwide sensitisation of students on personal security and protection. This is meant to mitigate the impact of attacks on educational institutions and abduction of students and teachers by terrorists.
Stakeholders are worried that the sporadic attacks on schools and kidnappings of students by terrorists have continued to have a chilling effect on education in the country. The phenomenon, the former Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, has attributed to high number of out-of-school children because many parents were afraid to send their children to school while some schools were forced to close.
According to a report released by the Save the Children International (SCI), not fewer than 70 schools were attacked and 1,683 school children kidnapped across Nigeria between February 2014 and December 2022.
The project consultant, Mr Augustine Mamedu, presented the report entitled; ‘Education under Attack: Review and Analysis of Attack on Schools, Teachers, and Learners from the Kidnapping of the Chibok Girls, Borno, Nigeria in 2014,’ to the public.
The report indicated that 184 learners were killed while 88 others were injured within the period.
Nigerian Tribune had also reported that there had been similar attacks on educational institutions and kidnapping of students under the new administration of President Bola Tinubu.
On September 22, gunmen invaded the Federal University Gusau in Zamfara State and kidnapped 24 female students. Security forces reportedly rescued 13 students, while 11 remain in captivity.
Less than two weeks later, on October 4, suspected terrorists attacked the Federal University in Katsina and kidnapped five female students and on October 10, gunmen kidnapped four students from Nasarawa State University, among others.
However, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps whose mandate is to protect the critical National asset and infrastructure, has continued to evolve different strategies to stem the tide of attack on schools in line with the implementation of the Safe School Initiative of the Federal Government.
In line with this, the Federal Government has also situated the National Safe School Response Coordination Centre (NSSRCC), at the headquarters of NSCDC in Sauka, Abuja. The Corps had last week
appointed Commandant Hammed Abodunrin as a new Commander of NSSRCC.
Abodunrin, speaking in Abuja said now that schools are resuming after the Christmas and New Year holidays, there was the need to sensitise students and teachers on their personal safety as a key aspect of the work of the NSCDC personnel in providing safety net in schools.
He said the Corps has accordingly concluded plans to educate and enlighten school children on identifying potential threats and criminal elements that could cause them any harm within and outside their school premises.
He noted that NSCDC, as the lead agency in the protection of critical National Assets and Infrastructure with schools and institutions inclusive will continue to appeal to Nigerians that all hands must be on deck in ensuring that school children are safe both at the learning environment and in their respective domain.
The new NSSRCC noted that having served as the Ondo and Ogun State Commandant, he was fully aware of the responsibility attached to his new appointment.
He further pointed out that the school children and their teachers will be properly sensitised and enlightened so that they would be able to detect imminent dangers and take necessary actions to avoid being victims.
Abodurin said: “The best form of security is the one you provide for yourselves and it requires a collective effort to empower and educate the school children regardless of their ages on the need to protect themselves and also to be able to identify potential danger when they see one.”
He appreciated the Commandant General of NSCDC, Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi, for giving him the opportunity to serve adding that the CG as a resourceful and exemplary leader, has truly repositioned the Corps for better efficiency and performance.
“The Commandant General hit the ground running when he came on board in 2021 and has brought lots of unprecedented transformation to the NSCDC and till date, he is not tired.
“As a formidable and focused leader, the CG has set a great standard and we must all key into his excellent and impactful agenda,» he said.
Abodurin commended the outgoing Commander of the NSSRCC for his relentless efforts and the successful implementation of various programmes during his tenure of office.
In his address, the outgoing Commander, Dr Tersoo Shaapera, acknowledged the challenges that came with the appointment ab initio most especially as a pioneer commander of such a multitasking project.
He, however, appreciated the team that he worked with assuring the new Commander of a fantastic working relationship henceforth.
The National Safe School Response Coordination Centre( NSSRCC) was established on the 13th of February 2023 for the sake of advocacy, sensitisation and capacity building regarding the Federal government›s Safe School Initiative Project and it is domiciled at the NSCDC national headquarters in Abuja. Efforts are ongoing to establish the centre in all states and local governments of the federation.
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