A chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress and member of the party’s National Working Committee, Tolu Bankole, has strongly condemned the recent abductions of pupils, teachers and school administrators in different parts of the country, describing the attacks as barbaric and a direct assault on Nigeria’s future.
Bankole also called for urgent and coordinated efforts by security agencies, state governments and community leaders to ensure the safe rescue of all victims and strengthen security around schools nationwide.
In a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja, the APC stalwart expressed deep concern over the resurgence of attacks on educational institutions in states including Oyo and Borno, warning that schools were gradually becoming vulnerable targets for criminal gangs and terrorists.
According to him, educational institutions should remain safe havens for learning, development and nation-building, rather than centres of fear and violence. “The abduction of pupils, teachers and school administrators in different parts of the country is barbaric, criminal and unacceptable. Schools must remain sanctuaries of learning, not killing fields for bandits and terrorists,” Bankole stated.
He lamented the growing insecurity affecting students and teachers across rural communities, noting that repeated attacks on schools had continued to disrupt education, traumatise families and discourage parents from sending their children to school.
The APC chieftain said the disturbing trend poses a serious threat to the country’s educational system and long-term national development, especially in northern and rural communities already battling poverty, displacement and low school enrolment.
Bankole stressed that every Nigerian child deserves access to education in a safe and secure environment, regardless of location, ethnic background or social status. He further urged security agencies to intensify intelligence gathering, improve surveillance around vulnerable communities and increase rapid-response operations in areas prone to attacks.
According to him, the Federal Government must work closely with governors, local authorities and traditional institutions to establish stronger security frameworks around schools and public institutions. Bankole also expressed concern over what he described as a recurring pattern of attacks on educational institutions during periods leading up to general elections.
Citing reports from security monitoring groups and past national incidents, he noted that some of the country’s most devastating school abductions occurred in politically tense periods preceding elections. He referenced the abduction of schoolgirls in Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping, as well as similar incidents in Dapchi, Kankara and Jangebe, saying the repeated attacks raise serious concerns that must not be ignored.
According to Bankole, these incidents have left painful memories in the hearts of many Nigerians and damaged the country’s global image over the years. He warned that allowing criminal elements to continue targeting schools could worsen the out-of-school children crisis and further undermine public confidence in government efforts to tackle insecurity.
The APC leader therefore called on Nigerians to support security agencies with credible information capable of preventing future attacks, while also urging community leaders to remain vigilant and proactive. He maintained that tackling insecurity requires collective responsibility and sustained collaboration between citizens and government institutions.
Bankole also appealed to the Federal Government to accelerate ongoing reforms aimed at improving security infrastructure across the country, particularly in vulnerable rural communities where schools often operate with little or no protection. He said beyond military operations, authorities must address the root causes of insecurity, including poverty, unemployment and the proliferation of criminal networks exploiting weak governance structures.
The APC chieftain further urged political leaders across party lines to refrain from politicising issues of national security, insisting that the safety of schoolchildren should remain a national priority above partisan interests. He added that Nigerians expect decisive action from leaders and security agencies to ensure that no parent lives in fear of sending a child to school.
The recent wave of kidnappings and attacks on schools has continued to generate outrage among civil society organisations, parents and education stakeholders, many of whom have repeatedly called for stronger protection measures in schools across the country.
Security experts have also warned that persistent attacks on schools could deepen educational inequality and worsen humanitarian challenges in already fragile regions. Despite repeated assurances from authorities, concerns remain over the capacity of security agencies to prevent attacks on isolated communities and schools, especially in areas facing frequent banditry and insurgent activities.
For many Nigerians, the renewed attacks serve as painful reminders of previous mass abductions that shocked the nation and drew international condemnation.
As pressure mounts on government at all levels, many citizens are now demanding concrete actions that will not only secure the release of victims but also prevent future attacks on innocent schoolchildren and educators.
