In view of the incessant attacks on schools, which is rampant in the North East, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa has called on all security agencies, Parents Teachers Associations, Traditional/Religious leaders, Civil Society Organisation, (CSOs) and other stakeholders to synergize towards protection of schools.
He said the protection of Nigerian school children from attacks or kidnappings by terrorists or bandits must not be left in the hands of the military alone, but a collective responsibility.
General Musa stated this while addressing participants at a One-Day Workshop he organised for all stakeholders which took place at Command Guest House, 7Div, Maimalari Cantonment in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
Recall that many schools such as Government Girls Secondary Schools Chibok in Borno, Dapchi and Buni Yadi in Yobe, Kaduna, Sokoto, Niger, Zamfara, Katsina states among others were attacked, leaving many students dead or kidnapped.
While declaring the workshop open, with the theme: “Providing Secured and Safe Learning Environment for the Advancement of National Development,” the CDS said, the event is apt.
His words: “This workshop, is in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, and is meant to secure Nigerian public and private schools from attacks.
“The workshop was established in March 2024 to operationalize the Armed Forces of Nigeria for best options in the protection of our schools, so that our children/students will operate in safe and secured environment.
“ I am happy that the programme which has moved to the second stage of mobilizing Units and Formations across the country is geared towards making our schools safe.
“Therefore, the Armed Forces of Nigeria is for Nigerians, and together we can protect our children from terrorists and those who seek to destroy our country,” he said.
Musa, therefore, urged participants to feel free and committed to ensure fruitful deliberations.
Stakeholders, including police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), traditional rulers and religious leaders who spoke at the event, commended General Musa for organising such an important workshop, which they said would go a long way in collectively addressing the menace of attacks on schools and improve on educational development.