Kidnapping: Safe School Project to Deploy More Security Personnel By !

Kidnapping: Safe School Project to Deploy More Security Personnel By

Enock Damidami | Sele Media Africa

Abuja / Nationwide — In response to a disturbing surge in school kidnappings across Nigeria, civil society groups and education advocates under the Safe School Project are calling for immediate deployment of more trained security personnel to vulnerable schools and communities to protect children and teachers. The appeal comes as repeated mass abductions have exposed serious security gaps despite existing policies aimed at safeguarding schools. [1] Context: School Abductions on the Rise Nigeria has seen a spate of attacks on educational institutions, including the mass abduction of over 300 students and teachers at St. Mary’s School in Papiri, Niger State in November 2025 — part of a broader pattern of violence affecting students in the north and northwest. [2]Similarly, the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has begun probing the Safe School Initiative over persistent attacks on students, questioning why funding and implementation have not translated into stronger school security. [4] Why It Matters. Experts say deploying more security personnel is essential not just to rescue abducted students but to prevent attacks before they happen. With thousands of schools still vulnerable and hundreds of students abducted or affected in 2025 alone, the Safe School Project and partner bodies believe this move could substantially reduce kidnappings and restore confidence in Nigeria’s education system. [5] As the federal and state governments work to secure the release of remaining abducted pupils, stakeholders are urging that prevention — through robust security deployment — becomes a national priority. [6] —Citations:- Safe Schools project stalls in 30 states as abductions rise, exposing vulnerable schools and gaps in protection. [1] – ADC decries abandonment of Safe School Initiative, seeks deployment of NSCDC personnel nationwide. [3] – Senate probes Safe School Initiative after repeated attacks on students. [4] – Report: over 42,000 schools still vulnerable despite Safe School funds.Despite efforts like the Safe Schools Initiative — originally launched after the 2014 Chibok abduction to protect schools through coordinated security measures — implementation has stalled in many parts of the country, leaving thousands of schools exposed. [1] Call for Deployment of Security Personnel. Advocates have demanded that the government urgently deploy trained security forces, including officers from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), police, and other rapid‑response units, directly to the premises of high‑risk schools. They argue that assigned security personnel can deter attacks and respond rapidly when incidents occur. [3] In addition to physical deployment, they emphasised the need for strengthened coordination among military, police, NSCDC and community stakeholders to ensure early warning systems and rapid intervention are in place. [1] Pressure from Civil Society and Parliament Civil society organisations have repeatedly criticised what they describe as the “quiet abandonment” of the Safe School Initiative, saying that despite substantial funding pledges, security frameworks designed to protect students remain weak or underutilised. [3]

Citations:1. Punch Newspapers: punchng.com/safe-schools-project-stalls-in-30-states-as-abductions-rise/?utm_source2. Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Papiri_kidnapping?utm_3. Realnews Magazine: realnewsmagazine.net/adc-decries-abandonment-of-safe-school-initiative-seeks-nscdc-personnels-deployment-nationwide/?utm_source4. The Guardian Nigeria: guardian.ng/education/senate-probes-safe-school-initiative-amid-rising-attacks-on-students/?utm_5. The Guardian Nigeria: guardian.ng/news/42000-schools-still-vulnerable-despite-30m-safe-school-funds/?utm_6. Reuters: www.reuters.com/world/africa/nigerian-government-secures-release-100-abducted-schoolchildren-channels-2025-12-07/?ut7. Reuters: www.reuters.com/world/africa/nigerian-government-rescues-100-schoolchildren-kidnapped-catholic-school-2025-12-08/?utm_source=

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