The Federal Government has called upon state governors to establish Safe School Response Coordination Centers as a preventive measure against attacks and kidnappings in educational institutions.

During an inspection of the facilities at the National Safe School Response Coordination Centre, situated at the headquarters of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Abuja, Yusuf Sununu, the Minister of State for Education, made this appeal on Friday.

The establishment of the National Safe School Response Coordination Centre by the Federal Government in February 2023 aimed to bolster the security of schools and their surrounding communities. The center plays a crucial role in coordinating security agencies and other key stakeholders, receiving and referring complaints, as well as managing emergency hotlines. NSCDC serves as the lead agency for this project, working in collaboration with other relevant organisations.

During the facility inspection, Sununu emphasized the importance of education in the nation’s development, highlighting the far-reaching consequences of attacks on the education system.

The Minister urged state governors to take proactive measures to ensure the safety of schools within their jurisdictions. This call comes in the wake of recent kidnappings of students and teachers in Sokoto and Kaduna States.

Sununu stated, “Education is a vital component for the progress of individuals, communities, and international organisations. Despite investments in education, Nigeria still faces significant challenges with out-of-school children. Thus, these attacks are unacceptable. The abduction of schoolchildren by bandits is an assault on education that must not be tolerated.”

He further implored all state governments in Nigeria to establish their own centers connected to the National Safe School Response Coordination Centre within the next few weeks, highlighting the urgency of the matter.