National Parents Teachers Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN) has charged President Muhammadu Buhari and service chiefs to end insecurity in the country, especially in schools where innocent students are being killed, maimed and kidnapped.
It also urged government at all levels to ensure the deployment of armed joint task force security personnel to protect schools and create a conducive learning atmosphere for students.
NAPTAN made this known in a statement issued by its National President, Haruna Danjuma, in which the association restated its call on government and security agencies to ensure the release of all abducted students and teachers still in captivity across the country.
It lamented the poor responses of security officials whenever the association passes intelligent reports that bordered on security of students to them, adding that this led to the abduction of students and teachers in Kagara, Niger State.
The body canvassed training of students in all institutions of learning on security knowledge and consciousness.
Also speaking in a telephone interview with The Guardian, it said parents and teachers could no longer sleep with their the two eyes closed and lamented that attacks and abduction in schools was giving NAPTAN and citizens serious concern, considering its consequences on national life and development.
Urging government to ensure perimeter fencing round all schools in the country, NAPTAN expressed shock over the news of abduction of students and teachers of Government Secondary School, Kagara, Niger State and others in different parts of the country.
Danjuma maintained that government at all levels should channel their security votes to securing lives of Nigerian students in secondary boarding or day schools, as well as tertiary institutions in the country.
The association also enjoined government at all levels to do the needful by employing both human and material resources to mitigate if not totally eradicate banditry and other criminal activities in the country.
NAPTAN solicited the support of all stakeholders to assist schools in their domains with intelligence gathering and survey to avert future occurrences, adding: “There can never be sound education where there is insecurity and trauma.
“Government at all levels should concentrate on schools and tertiary institutions. Some parents have withdrawn their children from schools due to insecurity. Parent Teacher Association (PTA) should also be allowed to play their roles.”
