The Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ahmed Audi, has issued a directive to enhance the protection of educational institutions nationwide in response to the recent surge in mass abductions.
In a keynote address delivered at the NSCDC national headquarters in Abuja, Audi instructed state coordinators of the National Safe Schools Response Coordination Centre, Commanders of the Special Female Squad, and NSCDC officers to step up efforts in safeguarding schools across the country.
With reports indicating that schools in 14 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, are at risk of attacks by bandits and insurgents, Audi emphasized the urgent need for a coordinated and robust response to address the escalating threats facing educational institutions.
Against the backdrop of ongoing abductions, which have seen over 465 pupils, teachers, and women abducted in recent weeks, Audi underscored the NSCDC’s pivotal role as the lead agency responsible for protecting critical national assets and infrastructure.
The NSCDC spokesperson, Babawale Afolabi, reiterated Audi’s call for a proactive approach to addressing the security challenges facing schools, emphasizing the importance of swift action to restore stability and ensure the safety of students and staff.
Representatives of the NSCDC highlighted the significance of the National Safe Schools Response Coordination Centre in gathering and disseminating crucial information to relevant security agencies for prompt intervention. They stressed the importance of schools registering with the centre and facilitating the timely passage of information to enable swift response to potential threats.