By Darlington OnedibeÂ
Kidnappers and criminal syndicates are increasingly focusing their attacks on educational institutions due to the inherent vulnerability of these facilities, the National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN) has warned.
​Chief Deolu Ogunbanjo, Chairman of the NAPTAN Board of Trustees, disclosed this while addressing the growing wave of insecurity targeting students and school staff across the federation.
​According to Ogunbanjo, criminals view schools as soft targets where they can inflict maximum panic and secure hefty ransoms with minimal resistance. He noted that many institutions lack the necessary security infrastructure such as proper perimeter fencing, modern surveillance systems, and trained security personnel, making them easy prey for bandits.
​”Criminal elements are deliberately shifting their focus to schools because they recognize the vulnerability of these institutions,” Ogunbanjo stated, emphasizing that the safety of Nigerian children can no longer be taken for granted.
In light of the escalating threat, NAPTAN is urging federal, state, and local governments to take immediate action to secure learning environments.
Recommended measures include fast-tracking the construction of robust fencing around all public and private schools. Deploying CCTV cameras and early-warning systems to detect threats before they escalate and integrating local vigilantes and state security agencies to establish a permanent presence near school clusters.
​Ogunbanjo stressed that unless decisive security frameworks are implemented, the recurring attacks could severely cripple Nigeria’s educational sector by driving up the number of out-of-school children due to fear.
