Principals of secondary schools in the country have again condemned the incessant abduction of students and teachers and other school workers by armed bandits, saying the development has created fear of safety in their minds, their students and other school workers.
National President of All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), Mr Anselm Izuagbe, gave this impression in an exclusive interview with the Nigerian Tribune, on Monday evening.
He said the dimension by which bandits have now shifted their attention to schools by kidnapping students and teachers for huge ransom payment at will is a sign of system failure.
He said it is the duty of government to protect lives and property of citizens anywhere they choose to live and work in the country including in schools and that there is no excuse for government to allow bandits to turn schools into places of money-making in the name of ransom.
He said “many public schools in this 21st century are without perimeter fencing let alone security personnel and gadgets that can help prevent intruders.
Mr Izuagbe said the development is not only leaving school workers and students in perpetual fear particularly when in schools or hostels but also ruining the education system and the entire socio-economic life of the country.
He said it was pathetic that attacks on schools by gun men under whatever name is spreading fast in both northern and southern parts of the country with government doing so little to arrest the situation.
He reasoned that as long as the kidnappers and their sponsors were getting away with their illegal business and huge ransom paid, the more they would keep themselves in the ‘business’ and also recruit more members.
He therefore asked Federal Government not to delay in ensuring the safe release of all the abducted students and their teachers across the country including those of the Federal Government College, Yauri, Kebbi State.
“We also want government at all levels to ensure they keep the school system nationwide safe and running,” he stressed.
YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
We Have Not Had Water Supply In Months ― Abeokuta Residents
In spite of the huge investment in the water sector by the government and international organisations, water scarcity has grown to become a perennial nightmare for residents of Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital. This report x-rays the lives and experiences of residents in getting clean, potable and affordable water amidst the surge of COVID-19 cases in the state.
and then