The House of Representatives on Tuesday called on the Federal Government and security agencies to urgently secure the release of 42 schoolchildren abducted from Mussa Ward in Askira-Uba Local Government Area, while also pushing for the implementation of a comprehensive national framework to safeguard schools across the country.
The lawmakers made the call during plenary following the consideration of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by the member representing Askira-Uba/Hawul Federal Constituency, Midala Balami.
Presenting the motion before the House, Balami expressed deep concern over the abduction of the schoolchildren and the increasing attacks on schools and communities in different parts of the country, warning that the development poses a grave threat to education, public safety and national security.
He noted that schools, which are meant to serve as safe spaces for learning and development, have increasingly become targets for criminal and insurgent groups, thereby creating fear among parents, pupils and teachers.
According to him, the protection of pupils, students, educational personnel and school communities remains a fundamental responsibility of government at all levels.
Balami lamented that continued attacks on educational institutions, particularly in conflict-prone regions, have disrupted academic activities and undermined efforts aimed at improving access to education.
He stressed that the latest incident in Borno State had once again highlighted the urgent need for authorities to strengthen security around schools and vulnerable communities.
The lawmaker warned that repeated abductions and violent attacks on students could discourage school enrolment, especially in rural communities already struggling with insecurity and poverty.
He further argued that if decisive steps are not taken, the country risks worsening the number of out-of-school children, particularly in the North-East where insurgency has already severely affected educational development over the years.
Members of the House who contributed to the debate condemned the abduction and described the incident as unacceptable, insisting that the safety of children and educational workers must be prioritised.
Several lawmakers called on security agencies to intensify rescue operations and ensure that the abducted children are returned safely to their families without delay.
The House also urged the Federal Government to work closely with state governments, local communities and relevant stakeholders to establish stronger security mechanisms around schools nationwide.
Lawmakers emphasised the need for a comprehensive national school protection framework that would include improved intelligence gathering, rapid response systems, surveillance infrastructure and increased deployment of security personnel to vulnerable areas.
They also stressed the importance of community participation in security efforts, noting that local vigilance and early warning systems could help prevent future attacks.
The motion comes amid renewed concerns over insecurity in parts of the country, particularly in the North-East and North-West regions where schools and rural communities have repeatedly come under attack from terrorists, bandits and kidnappers.
Over the years, several mass abductions of students have drawn national and international outrage, with many stakeholders calling for stronger measures to protect children and restore confidence in the education sector.
Observers say the latest resolution by the House reflects growing pressure on the Federal Government to take more decisive action against insecurity and ensure that schools remain safe environments for learning.
The lawmakers maintained that beyond rescuing the abducted pupils, authorities must adopt long-term strategies capable of preventing future attacks and guaranteeing uninterrupted access to education for Nigerian children.
They warned that failure to adequately secure schools could further deepen the education crisis in vulnerable regions and threaten the future of thousands of children across the country.
