Connect with us

Education

Unity schools: Reopening without measures puts students at risk – Security expert tells Nigerian govt

Published

on

A security analyst, Amb. Capt. Abdullahi Bakoji Adamu (rtd), has warned that the Nigerian government’s decision to reopen the 47 Unity Colleges earlier closed due to security threats must be backed by concrete, long-term security measures, not official assurances alone.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Ekwutosblog on Friday, Adamu said reopening the schools is a delicate but necessary policy choice.

He stressed that education remains a critical national asset that should not be disrupted for long periods.

“Education is too important to be sacrificed indefinitely. Prolonged closure of Unity Schools threatens national development, social cohesion, and youth stability,” he said.

He noted that from this perspective, the government’s decision to reopen the schools aligns with its constitutional responsibility to guarantee access to education.

However, the retired security expert cautioned that optimism must not override security realities.

“The original closure of these schools was based on real and credible threats such as kidnappings, banditry, and attacks on educational institutions. These threats have not disappeared; they have only evolved,” he warned.

According to him, reopening schools without addressing the root causes of insecurity would expose students, teachers, and parents to serious danger.

“Security is not measured by announcements but by preparedness, deterrence, and response efficiency. If the reopening is based merely on assurances rather than verifiable security benchmarks, it risks repeating past tragedies and eroding public confidence,” he said.

From a professional security standpoint, he listed key conditions that must be met, including permanent security deployment around and within school premises, rather than temporary patrols.

“There must be integrated intelligence sharing between the military, police, DSS, and local security structures,” he said.

He added that intelligence gaps remain a major weakness.

Adamu also emphasized the need for rapid response capability.

“Response must be within minutes, not hours. Delayed response has cost lives in the past,” he noted.

He further called for secure school infrastructure, including controlled access points, perimeter surveillance, and reliable emergency communication systems.

Beyond formal security agencies, the analyst stressed the importance of community involvement.

“Host communities must be active partners in intelligence gathering and early warning. Without community engagement, security efforts will always fall short,” he said.

Adamu warned that reopening schools based only on verbal assurances could lead to a repeat of past tragedies and damage public trust in government decisions.

“If reopening is based merely on promises rather than verifiable security benchmarks, it risks eroding public confidence,” he said.

“In conclusion, while reopening the Unity Schools is a positive step toward restoring normalcy and safeguarding the future of Nigerian children, it must be treated as a security-led operation, not an administrative decision. The success or failure of this policy will depend entirely on whether security measures are proactive, adaptive, and sustained,” the expert added

Recall that the Federal Government recently announced the reopening of 47 Unity Colleges that were earlier shut down due to security concerns.

The Ministry of Education made the announcement in a statement on Thursday, reaffirming the government’s commitment to safeguarding students and ensuring continuity of learning.

According to the ministry, “after the strengthening of security architecture within and around the affected schools, academic activities have fully resumed.”

The statement added that students have returned safely to their campuses, with some concluding their December academic programs, while others have completed their examinations.

The ministry also assured parents, guardians, and the general public that the safety, welfare, and well-being of students remain a top priority.

Education

FG Bans Admission, Transfer Of SS3 Students

Published

on

The Federal Government has announced a nationwide ban on the admission and transfer of students into Senior Secondary School Three (SS3) in all public and private schools, beginning from the 2026/27 academic session.

The announcement, signed by Boriowo Folasade, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, said the directive was part of efforts to curb examination malpractice and restore credibility to Nigeria’s education system.

“The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Education, has announced a nationwide prohibition on the admission and transfer of students into Senior Secondary School Three (SS3) in all public and private secondary schools,” the statement read.

According to the ministry, the policy follows growing concerns over the increasing incidence of malpractice, including the use of so‑called special centres during external examinations.

It explained that admissions and transfers will now be restricted strictly to Senior Secondary School One (SS1) and Senior Secondary School Two (SS2). “Admission or transfer into SS3 will no longer be permitted under any circumstance,” the ministry stated.

Officials said the measure is aimed at discouraging last‑minute movement of students for examination‑related advantages, ensuring proper academic monitoring, and promoting continuity in teaching and learning.

School proprietors, principals, and administrators nationwide have been directed to comply fully with the policy.

The ministry warned that any violation would attract sanctions in line with existing education regulations and guidelines.

Reaffirming government’s commitment, the statement added: “The Federal Ministry of Education reaffirms the Federal Government’s commitment to maintaining academic standards, promoting fairness, and restoring credibility to public examinations across the country.”

Continue Reading

Education

How Fulani Militias Attacked Taraba Community, K!lled My Father, Four Relatives — Grieving NYSC Member Cries Out (Video)

Published

on

Orkeghen Philip Aondofa, a serving member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), has cried out for help, alleging that armed Fulani herders carried out a de@dly attack on his village — New-Gboko (Nyugoko) in the Peva–Chanchanji Ward of Takum Local Government Area, Taraba State.

They reportedly k!lled his father and four other members of his family.

Philip, who is currently serving in Enugu State, recounted the horror in an emotional interview with SaharaReporters, saying the Taraba State government has remained silent while k!llings continue across communities in Chanchanji ward.

According to him, the attackers, whom he repeatedly referred to as “herders ”, invaded the community on November 27, 2025, unleashing violence that forced all surviving residents to flee.

He said the assailants are still occupying the village, preventing him from retrieving his father’s corpse for burial.

“Right now, as I speak to you, the k!lling is all over Chanchanji ward in Takum LGA of Taraba State. The Taraba State Government is silent about it,” he said.

The corps member said one of the attackers used his late father’s phone to call him after the massacre — only to confess to k!lling him.

“After the attack, one of them took my father’s phone and called me. When I asked where the owner of the phone was, he told me, he k!lled my father directly. I broke down and ended the call,” he said.

Philip said the inability to recover his father’s remains has left him in deeper anguish.

“What pains me the most now is how I will get my father’s corpse to bury. Those herders are still there in the village. There is nobody left in my village.”

The corps member said he is nearing the end of his service year but now feels completely stranded and without hope.

“After my service, I don’t know where to go. I don’t know where to start. I am calling on the Federal Government and those concerned to come to my aid. I am broke, I am hopeless. I don’t have anywhere to go; everything is gone. I have lost hope.”

Continue Reading

Education

TETFund Unveils Plan for Nationwide Security Overhaul in Tertiary Institutions

Published

on

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has announced a major initiative to strengthen security across universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education in Nigeria. As part of the new move, the Fund is developing a comprehensive security master plan aimed at addressing the growing threats facing campuses nationwide.

According to the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, the framework will serve as a unified guide for preventing, managing, and responding to security breaches within tertiary institutions. He noted that the rising cases of attacks, kidnappings, and other safety concerns have made it imperative to adopt a coordinated national approach to protect students, staff, and infrastructure.

The proposed security master plan is expected to involve collaboration with security agencies, education stakeholders, and institution managers to ensure effective implementation across the country.

Continue Reading

Trending