By Aare Hon. Tolu Bankole, a member of the National Working Committee (NWC) expressed his opinion over the recurrent mass school kidnappings across the country which he accentuated to be unacceptable.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Tolu Bankole condemned how learning environment has become a den for terrorist and bandits in perpetrating their evil actions. He insisted that school must remain safe for learning.
He noted that “The abduction of pupils, teachers and school administrators in different parts of the country is barbaric, criminal and unacceptable. Schools must remain sanctuaries of learning, not killing fields for bandits and terrorists,”
Bankole make references to the kidnapping of 276 Chibok schoolgirls in April 2014 which occured ahead of the 2015 elections, while the abduction of schoolgirls in Dapchi and multiple attacks across Kaduna, Zamfara and Borno states intensified before the 2019 polls.
“Now in 2025 and 2026, attacks in Oyo, Borno, Plateau and Kogi are occuring roughly 18 months before the 2027 elections, reflecting the same troubling pattern,” Bankole noted.
He urged all security agencies to increase their efforts as President Tinubu already made huge investments in the security of the state.
“I call on the Nigerian security apparatus to do more to protect the lives and property of citizens. The Tinubu administration has made huge investments in our security architecture through the procurement of equipment, welfare packages and operational funding. Nigerians deserve to see commensurate results.”
Bankole also urged security chiefs to have a clear mandates upon which the release of those in captivity will be made. He emphasized that action should be taken rather than statement from security officials.
“Our security agencies require immediate training and reorientation in modern counter-terrorism, intelligence-led operations and the protection of soft targets like schools. The tactics of these criminals have evolved, and our response must evolve faster,” he noted.
Bankole highlighted that technology must be deployed. Drones, security cameras and surveillance systems should be installed to monitor criminals operating in the country.
He stressed that there should be additional police posts and military formations in rural communities.
“Security is a collective responsibility, and no government can succeed without the active participation of the people,”
He expressed his grievances with affected families and urged Nigerians to report suspicious activities in their communities.
