The National Association of Nigerian Students has accused Nigeria’s internal security system of failing to protect young people, especially those in schools.
In a statement on Wednesday, NANS President, Olushola Oladoja, said students across the country no longer feel safe in their classrooms despite years of promises and funding for the Safe School Initiative. He described the programme as ineffective, noting that for over a decade, schoolchildren have suffered repeated attacks without justice or concrete reforms.
Oladoja said too many school invasions show clear signs of weak intelligence, poor coordination, and leadership complacency. He blamed police authorities for what he called a collapse of internal security, which has allowed terrorists to strike schools with ease.
He also raised concerns about the recent attack in Kebbi State, where terrorists invaded a girls’ school shortly after reports of a military withdrawal. According to him, this has created fears of internal sabotage.
NANS called on the National Security Adviser, Minister of Defence, Service Chiefs, and the Chief of Defence Staff to launch a high-level probe into possible insider collaboration and repeated troop withdrawals before major attacks.
Oladoja said students now want a clear plan to secure schools and a complete overhaul of the Safe School Initiative. He warned that if nothing changes, NANS will lead nationwide civil disobedience — including shutting down highways, airports, and holding peaceful mass protests.
“We can’t continue to watch terrorists destroy our education,” he said. “Students are united and ready to defend their right to learn in safety.”
His comments come amid a new wave of school attacks in northern Nigeria. On Monday, gunmen raided Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State, abducting at least 24 students and killing a vice-principal. Days later, armed men attacked St. Mary’s Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Niger State, seizing hundreds, though 50 have since escaped.
Several northern states have now temporarily shut schools as fear grows among students and parents.
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