By Our Correspondent
National News – More than 600 pupils and teachers have been abducted in mass school attacks across Nigeria between March 2024 and May 2026, despite the Federal Government’s N145 billion Safe Schools Initiative aimed at protecting learning institutions.
The incidents have renewed concerns about school security and raised questions about the effectiveness of the programme.
According to reports, at least 603 students and teachers were kidnapped in seven major attacks across Kaduna, Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kogi, Borno and Oyo states.
The victims were taken during coordinated raids by armed groups targeting schools and educational facilities.
The Safe Schools Initiative was introduced after the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction to strengthen security in vulnerable schools.
The programme was designed to run between 2023 and 2026 with an estimated investment of N144.8 billion.
However, stakeholders say poor implementation, inadequate funding, weak infrastructure and limited security presence have reduced its impact.
Parents, teachers and education stakeholders have expressed concern over the continued attacks.
They noted that many public schools still lack perimeter fencing, surveillance systems and trained security personnel, making them easy targets for kidnappers and bandits.
The National President of the Parent-Teacher Association, Haruna Danjuma, accused governments of failing to prioritise the safety of schoolchildren.
Similarly, the Nigeria Union of Teachers warned that schools have become increasingly vulnerable and called for urgent measures to protect learners and educators.
Security experts described the situation as alarming, stressing that repeated attacks on schools threaten the future of education in Nigeria.
Labour unions, student groups and civil society organisations have also demanded stronger security operations and the immediate rescue of abducted victims.
Despite some state governments adopting school safety policies and improving surveillance, stakeholders insist that broader implementation of the Safe Schools Initiative is necessary.
They urged federal, state and local authorities to work together to secure schools and restore public confidence in the education system.
