Worried by the incessant abduction in schools, the Early Childhood Association of Nigerian (ECAN) has called for the establishment of School Safety Committees to coordinate preventive measures and to ensure security.
The Association also appealed to the Federal Government, state governments, and relevant education stakeholders to immediately strengthen the implementation of the National Policy on Safety, Security and Violence-Free Schools across all public educational institutions.
In a statement on the rescued Ogbomoso school kids, principal and teachers, the 5th National President of ECAN, Prof. Taiwo Ogunyemi, said policy should not merely exist as a document but be fully operationalized through sustained funding, continuous monitoring, periodic evaluation, and accountability mechanisms.
Prof. Ogunyemi demanded the establishment of functional School Safety Committees in every educational institution.
According to her, these committees should comprise school administrators, teachers, parents, community representatives, security personnel, and relevant stakeholders who will continually assess emerging threats and coordinate preventive strategies.
Ogunyemi further called on state Ministries of Education, Universal Basic Education Board, State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs), Local Government Education Authorities, and school administrators to ensure that comprehensive school safety plans are developed, implemented, and reviewed regularly.
Her words: “Such plans should include periodic security risk assessments, emergency preparedness drills, effective visitor management systems, perimeter security, school-community surveillance partnerships, early warning mechanisms, and adequate psychosocial support services for learners and school personnel.
“ECAN also directs all private school proprietors and proprietresses across Nigeria to adopt, implement, and strictly comply with the National School Safety and Protection Policy. The safety of children should never be compromised irrespective of school ownership.”
The professor of education at Tai Solarin University of Education advised private educational institutions to establish child protection policies, strengthen security infrastructure, conduct regular safety audits, train staff on emergency response procedures, and collaborate closely with security agencies and host communities.
“ECAN reiterates its commitment to collaborating with governments, development partners, civil society organisations, educational institutions, and security agencies in promoting safe, inclusive, child-friendly, and violence-free learning environments throughout Nigeria,’’ she stated.
Recognising the traumatic experiences endured by the rescued kids, the principal, and their teachers, ECAN recommended comprehensive post-rescue rehabilitation, adding, “government should immediately provide professional trauma counselling, psychosocial support, medical evaluation and treatment, educational reintegration programmes, family support services, and long-term mental health follow-up.
“Emotional healing is as important as physical rescue, particularly for young learners whose developmental and educational experiences may have been disrupted by the unfortunate incident.
“Parents and caregivers also have critical roles to play. We encourage them to provide patience, reassurance, love, and emotional stability for the returning children while avoiding actions or conversations that may unintentionally retraumatize them. Schools should equally create supportive and inclusive learning environments that facilitate smooth reintegration without stigma or discrimination.”
The ECAN president described the rescue of the kids, principal and teachers’ as a development that will brings relief not only to the affected families but also to the entire education community across Nigeria.
“The period of uncertainty, fear, and emotional trauma experienced by the victims, their loved ones, classmates, colleagues, and well-wishers has been deeply distressing. Their safe return is therefore a moment of thanksgiving and renewed hope.”
The Association appreciated of President Bola Tinubu, for the unwavering commitment of the Federal Government to safeguarding the lives of Nigerians and also commended the National Security Adviser, the Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), local intelligence operatives, as well as other security agencies whose professionalism, resilience, collaboration, and dedication culminated in the successful rescue operation.
She added” ‘The gallant officers and men who participated in this operation have once again demonstrated that with coordinated intelligence, adequate support, and commitment, criminal elements can be confronted successfully. We salute their courage and sacrifice in ensuring that innocent lives were rescued.’’
ECAN expressed concerned about the recurring incidents of attacks on educational institutions across the country and observed that schools remain sanctuaries of learning, innovation, play, and holistic development—not theatres of fear, violence, or criminal activities.
(The Sun)