Unsafe schools threaten national security, IGP says

…EWAN holds 7th Annual Summit in Lagos

Tunji Disu, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), has warned that insecurity in schools poses a grave threat to national security, calling for collective action by government, security agencies, school administrators, and other stakeholders to safeguard educational institutions.

Disu, represented by Tijani Fatai, the Lagos State Commissioner of police, gave the warning during his keynote address, themed, ‘Schools Under Threat: From Reactive Responses to Sustainable Protection’, at the Education Writers Association of Nigeria (EWAN) seventh annual summit held in Lagos.

“A society cannot achieve its full potential when insecurity restrains children from accessing education or discourages teachers from performing their duties in safe and supportive environments.

“School safety is therefore not merely the responsibility of school administrators and security agencies, but as a national security priority and a collective obligation,” he said.

The IGP emphasised that sustainable school protection cannot be achieved through occasional security operations or emergency announcements alone.

He said that this requires consistent attention, clear responsibilities, adequate preparation and cooperation among all relevant stakeholders.

“Government at all levels, the Nigerian Police Force, other security agencies, and school proprietors, educational authorities, parents, communities, leaders and the media all have a part to play.

“When schools become vulnerable to criminal attacks, the consequences extend far beyond the immediate victims,” he noted.

Disu noted that protecting schools in Nigeria requires effective government policies, responsible school management, community participation, professional policy, and a media environment that informs the public accurately and constructively.

Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, chairman of the governing board at the National Universities Commission (NUC), represented by Joseph Awoyinfa, dean, Faculty of Education, University of Lagos, decried how Nigeria’s security network has degenerated to the point where the abduction of learners and teachers, violent invasions into school premises, and disruption leave communities traumatised and the future uncertain.

“These attacks are not isolated tragedies; they form a pattern that threatens the very foundation of our national development.

“For too long, our responses have been mildly reactive, mobilising security after an incident, issuing statements of condemnation, and providing temporary relief to affected communities,” he said.

However, he said that while these actions are necessary, they are not sufficient; hence, he called for collective energy from reacting to crises towards building systems that prevent them, mitigate their impacts, and ensure continuity of education, even in the face of adversity.

“We must create early warning systems that detect threats before they materialise. This requires collaboration between security agencies, local communities, school authorities, and the media.

“Journalists, in particular, must play a critical role in spotlighting emergency and risk identification, amplify community concerns, and ensure that vulnerabilities are not ignored until they become a disaster,” he emphasised.

Besides, Ogundipe highlighted that prevention in this case means addressing the root causes, such as insecurity, weak governance in remote areas, and socio-economic pressure that makes schools sought targets.

“A protected school is not only one with physical security measures, nor is it one with perimeter fencing or CCTV cameras; it is one embedded in stable, supported, and resilient community security architecture. Security is a collective responsibility of all of us.

“Every school should have a functional emergency preparedness plan. This includes evacuation procedures, communication protocols, safe rooms, and trained personnel who know how to respond promptly during a crisis. Teachers and administrators of schools must be empowered with training, not left to improvise under pressure,” he said.

The Lagos State Commissioner of police explained that in the state, the Nigerian Police Force has what it calls insecurity in schools, which is aimed at curtailing school insecurity.

“We have tried as much as possible to put in a lot of interventions into the security system, vis-à-vis the school system and security-wise.

We have created a school protection system, and have deployed our men all over the state, most especially the areas where we think they are vulnerable, such as Epe, Badagry, and Ikorodu,” he said

Dantani Wushishi, registrar/CEO at National Examinations Council, represented by Foyeke Idowu, a NECO chieftain, in his goodwill message, decried the trauma students and parents go through in the face of school insecurity.

“School insecurity problem transcends education. It’s a psychological defeat for Nigeria to allow its children to be abducted while in school or writing exams,” he said.

Suleiman Kum, head of the Nigeria National Office at WAEC, represented by Akinsola Akinbode, a senior administrator at WAEC, explained that the council has been collaborating with security personnel to curb insecurity at exam centres, as their workers have been victimised as well.