ABUJA, NIGERIA — Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called for immediate and decisive measures to halt the growing wave of bandit attacks on schools across Nigeria, warning that persistent insecurity poses a serious threat to the country’s education sector and future development.
Atiku expressed concern over recent incidents involving attacks on educational institutions, abductions of students and teachers, and the increasing fear among parents and communities regarding the safety of schools. He said the continued targeting of schools by criminal groups is undermining efforts to improve access to education and creating an atmosphere of uncertainty across many parts of the country.
According to the former vice president, educational institutions should remain safe spaces dedicated to learning and personal development, not centres of fear and insecurity. He stressed that every child has a fundamental right to quality education in a secure environment and called on authorities to strengthen measures aimed at protecting schools nationwide.
Atiku noted that repeated attacks on schools have disrupted academic activities, forced some institutions to shut down temporarily, and discouraged parents from sending their children to school. He warned that if the trend continues, it could have long-term consequences for educational attainment and national development.
The former presidential candidate urged federal and state governments, security agencies, and community stakeholders to work together in addressing the security challenges confronting schools. He emphasized the need for proactive intelligence gathering, improved surveillance, and rapid response mechanisms to prevent attacks before they occur.
He also advocated increased investment in school security infrastructure, including perimeter fencing, communication systems, and other protective measures capable of enhancing the safety of students, teachers, and school personnel.
Atiku further called for greater support for victims of school attacks and their families, stressing that affected communities require both security assurances and humanitarian assistance to recover from the trauma associated with such incidents.
He stated that protecting schools should be treated as a national priority because education remains one of the most important tools for combating poverty, reducing inequality, and promoting sustainable development. According to him, insecurity in schools not only threatens individual futures but also undermines the country’s broader social and economic progress.
The former vice president also appealed to community leaders, traditional institutions, and civil society organizations to collaborate with security agencies by providing timely information that could help prevent attacks and identify criminal elements operating within local communities.
Security experts have repeatedly warned that attacks on schools can have devastating consequences, including increased dropout rates, psychological trauma among students, and setbacks in educational development.
Atiku maintained that urgent and coordinated action is required to reverse the trend and restore public confidence in the safety of educational institutions. He urged authorities to act swiftly to ensure that Nigerian children can pursue their education without fear, emphasizing that the future of the nation depends largely on the protection and development of its young population.
