The Commander of the National Safe Schools Response Coordination Centre, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Hammed Abodunrin blamed the inadequate network on Sunday for the security response’s delay during the kidnappings of pupils in Kaduna and Ekiti.
This was revealed by Abodunrin on Sunday.
The Federal Government launched the Safe School Response program in response to an increase in bandit attacks on schools.
The Federal Government launched the National Safe Schools Response Coordination Center on February 23, 2023, and it is tasked with organizing security and safety measures against violence in schools and surrounding areas.
While being driven home after school hours on January 30, 2024, six students, two teachers, and a driver from Apostolic Faith Church Primary and Secondary School, Emure were kidnapped in Eporo-Ekiti.
Terrorists on motorcycles reportedly stormed Kuriga School in the Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State on March 6, kidnapping at least 287 students. The operation drew condemnation and outrage from the Presidency and the international community, including UNICEF, the UN agency that works to protect children.
Regarding the takeaways from the most recent kidnappings, Abodunrin mentioned that the federal government was developing technology that would allow information to reach the Safe School team even in the event that a telecommunications network was unavailable for prompt action.
For example, we found that in Kaduna, information was delayed because there was no network, the commander stated.
The same thing happened in Ekiti. We are developing technologies that will allow information to be transmitted even in the absence of service provider networks.
He added that community members and personnel from various schools would receive emergency management training.
“The fact that people are still perplexed amid catastrophes is another lesson learned. The center works closely with all parties involved to create active community involvement.
“Members of the school community and the community at large need to have their capabilities developed as first responders. All these will become apparent over the course of the following few months. Public security education will decrease community vulnerability.
He said, “It is regrettable that these issues have gotten worse over time; in order to avoid solving one problem while creating new ones, we must address them with deliberateness, decisiveness, and proceduralism.”
He continued by saying that calls about other threats to schools, like rape and cultism, are also received by the Safe School Response team.
“A response is sent out as soon as information is received. A lot of calls were made, and things were done.
But not every caller discusses kidnapping, banditry, or insurgency. Numerous risks exist in schools, including rape, bullying, cultism, knife attacks, theft, and even robbery.
The commander responded, “Engaging foreign partners will be considered in such a way that it will not jeopardize our national interest,” when asked if plans were in place to seek support from foreign allies. Higher authorities will make decisions about that.
