Government officials are taking steps to protect lives and property according to Niger State Information and Strategy Commissioner Mohammed Idris.
As a result of this, the government is taking a holistic approach to putting an end to the problem. ‘The bandits are attacking schools to destroy the future of the next generation,’ Mr. Idris said.
Governor Abubakar Sani Bello had initially ordered the state’s education ministry to come up with a strategy on how to protect schools without deploying armed security personnel, according to the state’s education ministry official.
After receiving information from their informant(s) in the community, the bandits attack the schools. We are asking local residents to help protect their towns and villages by being vigilant and reporting any suspicious individuals to the appropriate authorities,” Mr. Idris said.
In the war against banditry, “the government is winning, but we can’t tell you what strategy they’re using.” There is no doubt in my mind that those responsible for the Tegina school kidnapping will be apprehended and prosecuted. His words are sincere.
Families should be more patient with their children, we say. All of us find ourselves in a difficult situation. However, with God’s help, we believe that we will overcome the challenges. It’s time for people to start providing timely intelligence reports to the government.”
As told by Ummul-Khairi Ahmed, a volunteer teacher and student who was in captivity with Hayatu Hashimu, Hayatu Hashimu died.
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As a result of the security concerns, Mr. Idris advised parents not to pull their children out of school.
Parental withdrawal is not the answer. In order to protect the children and prepare for possible attacks, the government temporarily shut down all of the schools.
“After closing schools, the government moved the students to safer alternative schools. There’s no way the government wants to interfere with our children’s educational pursuits.”
This was in addition to debunking rumors that government funds had been used to pay ransom to the bandits.”
Since it wasn’t budgeted for, the government can’t pay ransom to free kidnapped victims.” In his words, “the government’s appropriation was for citizens’ development needs and for ensuring their safety and security, not for paying ransom to kidnappers.”
State Government explains how they protecting schools from attacks
For security reasons, 10 boarding schools have been temporarily shut down in the Zone B senatorial district of Niger State as a result of the kidnapping.
In addition to Government Science College, Izom, Government Science College, Kutigi, Government Science College, Kagara, and Government Girls Arabic Science College, Dikko, the affected schools are Government Girls Science College, Sabon Wuse.
Additionally, Government Secondary Schools in Allawa and Nasko as well as Rijau Vocational Technical College and Wushishi Government Secondary School are located in Mamman Kontagora Technical College in Pandogari.
Jibrin Usman, a spokesperson for the state ministry of education, that the measure was intended to keep students safe while the government considers a permanent solution to school attacks.
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To address the challenges at ground level Mr. Usman said the ministry was working with traditional rulers, the School Base Management Committee (SBMC), and the Parents Teacher Associations (PTAs).
To keep students engaged when schools are closed, the ministry, he said, has introduced teaching and learning on radio.
State School dropout rate at an all-time high
Many Nigerian children were not attending school before the current security challenges arose in North-West and North-Central Nigeria.
It was reported in 2019 by UNICEF that six states from the two regions (including Niger) contributed 8 million of Nigeria’s over 12 million out-of-school children to the 10 states and Abuja.
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United Nations Children’s Fund said that in order to reduce school dropout rates, schools must be made safe for children.
When it comes to education, schools should be a safe place for children to learn and grow. UNICEF’s representative in Nigeria, Peter Hawkins, had said as much.
It appears that based on recent events in security and victim’s reactions, including a few of the parents of the Tegina schoolchildren, the number of out-of-school children in the affected states will increase.
