IGP Disu calls for coordinated action to end attacks on schools

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has called for coordinated efforts involving security agencies, education authorities, communities and the media to address attacks on schools across Nigeria.

Disu made the call on Wednesday while delivering the keynote address at the 7th Annual Summit of the Education Writers’ Association of Nigeria (EWAN) in Lagos.

The summit, themed “Schools Under Threat: From Reactive Responses to Sustainable Protection,” brought together security officials, education stakeholders, students and media professionals to discuss measures to protect schools from attacks.

Represented by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai, the IGP said school security required more than routine police deployments, stressing the need for physical security measures, technological early-warning systems and responsible media reporting.

He identified access-control systems, appropriate surveillance equipment, dedicated emergency communication channels and clear procedures for contacting security agencies during emergencies as immediate priorities.

“Such technologies must be heavily supported by trained personnel, proactive maintenance, and effective coordination,” Disu noted.

He said the effectiveness of the Safe Schools Initiative should be assessed by its impact on the safety of learning environments and the continuity of education, rather than public announcements or the amount of money spent.

The police chief also warned against the circulation of unverified information on social media, saying rumours could trigger public panic, expose innocent people to suspicion and undermine rescue operations.

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He urged journalists to protect the identities and personal information of children who were victims or witnesses to traumatic incidents. He also cautioned against publishing sensitive operational details that could endanger security personnel, rescue teams and captives.

Disu further reminded journalists that an arrest did not amount to a conviction, urging them to avoid presenting suspects as guilty before a court ruling.

He called for more transparent communication between security agencies and the media to limit speculation during security emergencies.

Also speaking, the chairman of the summit and Board Chairman of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, called for a unified national framework to coordinate school safety policies across federal, state and local governments.

Ogundipe, represented by the Dean of the Faculty of Education at the University of Lagos, Professor Joseph Awoyinfa, criticised inconsistent policy implementation and poor communication between security agencies and education authorities.

He said sustainable school protection should extend beyond perimeter fencing to include safe transportation, secure boarding facilities, community-based intelligence sharing and psychosocial support for survivors.

Earlier, EWAN Chairman Mojeed Alabi urged journalists to prioritise preventive reporting on school security rather than focusing mainly on attacks after they occurred.

Citing the 2014 abduction of Chibok schoolgirls, the Dapchi mass kidnapping and sit-at-home disruptions in the South-East, Alabi said insecurity continued to undermine education and national development.

He urged newsrooms to scrutinise security spending, assess whether schools had functional emergency response plans and hold public officials accountable for their budgetary commitments.

“When funds are allocated, we should investigate whether they are used as intended,” Alabi stated. “When investigations produce recommendations, we should return to determine exactly what has changed.”

A panel discussion at the summit also highlighted the need for sustained cooperation among governments, security agencies, education authorities, communities, civil society organisations and the media to prevent attacks on schools.

Participants included Lagos State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education Jamiu Alli-Balogun; National President of the Nigeria Union of Teachers Titus Amba, represented by the Lagos State Chairman, Comrade Hassan Akintoye; and National Coordinator of Financing Safe Schools in Nigeria, Hajia Halima Iliya.

Others were the National President of the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools, Dr Robert Okorie, represented by the Lagos State President, Olushola Masheyi, and Executive Director of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism, Motunrayo Alaka.

The speakers said progress should be measured by whether children could attend school without fear, teachers could work safely and parents could send their children to school with confidence.