The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), have given suggestions on how to make the multi-billion naira Safe Schools Initiative work, thereby putting an end to the incessant abduction of students in the nation’s schools.

Speaking in separate interviews, the Secretary General of the NUT, Dr Mike Ene, and the National President of NANS, Comrade Lucky Emonefe, said if the necessary steps are not taken, the funds meant for the initiative would just be a waste.

According to the National Plan for the initiative, a total of N144.8bn is to be spent between 2023 -2026. The plan proposes N32.58 in 2023, N36.98 billion in 2024, N37.15 billion in 2025 and N38.03 billion in 2026 respectively.

The initiative was set up following the kidnap of some students in Chibok, Borno State in 2014 and subsequent abductions that have followed suit.

Possible complicity between government officials and abductors – NUT

Ene, who said Nigerians are wary of promises to put an end to abduction of students, added that some people are now beginning to think that there is possible complicity between government officials and abductors.

“We have heard of the School Safety Protection Squad and other policies many times and people are tired of hearing such without result. People are even suspecting that it is government officials that are planning or conniving with abductors to carry out these heinous acts to make money. How would one explain a situation whereby some people would reportedly come in motorbikes and carry over one hundred people into the forest?

“If such number of persons are carried from a community, what about communities that are nearby? Is it not surprising that such large numbers of people are abducted and they are not detected? The confidence of people is shrinking. They no longer believe such stories,” he said.

He opined that there should be confidence building that would convince the citizens that some people are not just using such ugly incidents to make money.

Community Policing

The NUT scribe added that Community Policing would help in stemming the tide.

“This is different from State Police some are calling for. How many states will be able to pay their police if they start one? Community police will still be under the purview of the federal government that will pay them. They will be community based and they will know their areas in and out. Their functions will be clearly spelled out, so that there won’t be any overlap with federal police.” he noted that security agents should be appropriately armed too.

See something, say something – NANS

Emonefe, in his submission, emphasised the importance of passing necessary information to the authorities in timely manner.

“Stakeholders such as student, teachers, parents and community leaders should take up the challenge of passing information regarding any plan to attack any school and take appropriate actions as very important. Student leaders are now involved in the effort to curb attacks on schools. Students have to be security conscious since schools have become targets for abductors.

”With structures we have on campuses, states and even at zonal levels, NANS is taking the bull by the horn and we are working with the Defence Headquarters and some things are being done behind the scene, ” he said.

The NANS president noted that the School Safety Protection Squad should be given arms and all the support needed to succeed.

Make abductions unprofitable

Emonefe commended President Bola Tinubu for insisting that no ransom be paid for the release of the Kuriga students recently abducted in Kaduna State.

“If those involved in such criminal acts are not compensated by paying them ransom, then they would know it has become an unprofitable venture. Also, such criminals should be apprehended and duly punished according to the law of the land. If they are not punished, they may continue engaging in criminal acts,” he noted.

Since schools have become targets of kidnappers, no fewer than 1,684 students have been kidnapped across the country, with 184 killed in the process.

Also, 723 schools have been shut for fear of attacks by hoodlums and bandits.

The North Eastern and Northwestern part of the country being the hardest hit. (Vanguard)