Guard Time Information (GTI), Human Rights Activists Nationwide, has called for urgent measures to strengthen security in Nigerian schools amid growing threats and recent attacks targeting educational institutions across the country.
The organisation urged stronger collaboration among schools, parents, communities, security stakeholders and relevant government agencies to safeguard students, teachers and other members of the school community.
The Chairman of GTI, Comrade Bibi Oduku, made the call in Abuja on Monday, stressing the need for schools and communities to improve security awareness, intelligence sharing and rapid communication with security agencies.
Oduku urged community security stakeholders and relevant security agencies to remain tactically alert and prepared to respond swiftly to emerging threats, particularly those posed by kidnappers, armed criminals and other potential school invaders.
He warned that attacks on schools not only endanger lives but could also disrupt Nigeria’s education system and undermine efforts to provide safe learning environments.
The GTI Chairman disclosed that the organisation is partnering with the National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN) to promote security awareness and vigilance among teachers and other stakeholders in schools across the country.
According to him, the partnership will encourage school communities to remain observant and establish effective channels for promptly reporting credible security concerns to the appropriate authorities.
Oduku said GTI and NAPTAN also plan to support nationwide training and awareness programmes for teachers and school stakeholders, with emphasis on security awareness, early identification of threats, responsible information sharing, emergency communication and appropriate engagement with security agencies.
He said the initiative is expected to contribute to a nationwide school security networking system that would strengthen communication between schools, communities, law-enforcement agencies and other security institutions.
The human rights advocate also highlighted the role of community-based security structures, including the Civilian Joint Task Force, vigilante groups, Nigeria Forest Guards and other legally recognised community security initiatives, where appropriate and within the law.
He stressed that such structures could complement the efforts of the Nigeria Police Force, the Armed Forces and other relevant security agencies.
“Security is a collective responsibility. Every citizen has a role to play by remaining vigilant, sharing credible information responsibly and supporting the government and security agencies in protecting our communities, schools, students and teachers,” Oduku said.
He, however, warned citizens against taking the law into their own hands, urging them instead to report suspected threats and credible security information promptly to the appropriate authorities.
GTI reaffirmed its commitment to promoting human rights, community safety, security awareness, responsible intelligence sharing and peaceful educational environments across Nigeria.
The organisation called on parents, teachers, school administrators, traditional and community leaders, civil society organisations, security stakeholders and government agencies to deepen cooperation and establish stronger information-sharing mechanisms to ensure that Nigerian schools remain safe environments for learning, teaching and national development.
