The Nigerian government is taking decisive steps to enhance the security of schools across the country by actively involving hunters and vigilantes in intelligence gathering efforts. Mrs. Halima Iliya, the National Coordinator of the Financing Safe Schools Initiative, revealed these plans in an interview with Vistanaij Media in Abuja.

In the coming months, there will be a strong focus on community engagement and raising awareness among students, parents, and teachers. As part of the strategy, hunters, vigilantes, and volunteers from states with local vigilante groups will receive specialized training. For states without registered vigilantes, youths will be encouraged to actively participate in safeguarding their communities.

The involvement of local communities is crucial, as their cooperation is essential for achieving effective security measures. The government aims to integrate these individuals into the existing security architecture, enabling them to contribute to intelligence gathering, prevention, detection, and deterrence capabilities.

To ensure comprehensive outreach, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) will play a pivotal role due to its extensive presence in all local governments. The agency will be utilized to communicate with grassroots communities by developing training materials that can be translated into local dialects for effective communication.

The implementation of the safe schools national plan has progressed into its second phase, with security agencies training their personnel on safe schooling practices. In addition, the government has requested information from all states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), regarding the schools most at risk in each of the three senatorial zones, as well as one tertiary institution. This approach allows states to take ownership of the security of their schools, enabling tailored interventions to make a significant impact.