KIDNAPPING : A WAKE-UP CALL FOR GOVERNMENT.
COMMUNITIES AND SECURITY AGENCIES
Whenever kidnapping occurs, it brings untold anguish and trauma to victims
and their families.
The increasing vulnerability of schools and educational institutions is
particularly alarming because it undermines the right of children to education
and creates an atmosphere of fear capable of discouraging school attendance.
AGAINST THIS BACKDROP, THE SWIFT RESPONSE OF THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT deserves commendation. Of particular significance was the
deployment of high powered delegation to Oyo State to assess the situation,
reassure citizens, and coordinate security efforts aimed at securing the release
of the victims and preventing future occurrences. Such intervention
demonstrates the seriousness with which the present Government views
attacks on educational institutions and innocent citizens.
THE INCLUSION OF THE NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER, NUHU RIBADU, IN THE
GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSE TEAM FURTHER UNDERSCORED THE IMPORTANCE
ATTACHED TO THE INCIDENT. AS A DISTINGUISHED LEGAL PRACTITIONER,
RENOWNED ANTI-CORRUPTION ADVOCATE, AND SECURITY EXPERT, WHO HAS
BEEN WORKING TIRELESSLY, EVEN BEHIND THE SCENES TO KEEP NIGERIA SAFE,
HIS INVOLVEMENT SIGNALLED A COMMITMENT TO A COORDINATED AND
INTELLIGENCE-DRIVEN APPROACH TO ADDRESSING THE SECURITY CHALLENGES
CONFRONTING THE NATION.
While emergency responses are necessary, they should not overshadow the
broader issues that facilitate kidnapping . The recurring nature of these
incidents suggests the existence of systemic gap requiring urgent attention.
These include inadequate intelligence gathering, insufficient surveillance of
vulnerable communities, poor coordination among security agencies, and the
limited deployment of modern technology in crime prevention and detection.
The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria places a clear obligation on
government to ensure the security and welfare of the people.
There is therefore a compelling need for a comprehensive national strategy aim
at combating kidnapping.
I RESPECTFULLY SUGGEST THAT SPECIAL DEDICATED SCHOOL SAFETY AND
PROTECTION UNIT BE ESTABLISHED WITHIN THE OFFICE OF NSA. THIS UNIT
SHOULD BE ADEQUATELY FUNDED AND SPECIFICALLY MANDATED TO PROTECT
SCHOOL CHILDREN IN VULNERABLE RURAL AND SEMI-URBAN COMMUNITIES
ACROSS NIGERIA.
The NSA should coordinate the activities of this Unit in collaboration with the
Federal Ministry of Education, State Ministries of Education, security agencies,
local authorities and community stakeholders. The Unit should be responsible
for developing and implementing a comprehensive national strategy for school
safety, intelligence gathering, risk assessment, emergency response and the
protection of educational institutions.
Furthermore, the NSA should provide the President with weekly briefing.
Modern security technologies, including surveillance systems, early warning
mechanisms etc should be deployed to vulnerable schools.
By Barrister Okon Edem