Parents condemn resurgence of student and teacher abductions

By Adesina Wahab

Parents affiliated with the National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN) expressed deep concern after a series of school attacks in Borno and Oyo states on Friday, during which students and teachers were abducted by unidentified armed men. The parents warned that the return of such violent incidents would be a severe setback to education in Nigeria.

In an interview with Saturday Vanguard, Chief Deolu Ogunbanjo, Chairman of NAPTAN’s Board of Trustees, described the events as “very unfortunate” and noted that they occurred at a time when the nation believed school attacks had ended. “We are not happy with the resurgence of such evil acts. There should be no way for evil in our country,” he said. He called for the deployment of armed Civil Defence Corps officers, armed police, and Amotekun operatives to protect schools.

Ogunbanjo added that the Safe Schools Initiative must be strengthened to function effectively. He also highlighted the role of state police, criticizing the proposal that they may take another four years to become fully operational. “State police should be allowed to start as soon as possible. Every hand must be on deck to tame this monster threatening our education system,” he said.

The association expressed sympathy for the victims and urged security agencies to secure the safe return of the abducted students and teachers.

On Friday morning, gunmen entered the Ahoro-Esinele community in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State and abducted the principal of a secondary school along with an unspecified number of students. The attack, which took place between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. at Community High School, was witnessed by locals who reported that armed assailants stormed the premises and forcibly removed several students. The principal, Mrs. Rachael Alamu, was also taken. A teacher sustained gunshot injuries during the invasion, though the severity remains unclear.

In Borno State, an unspecified number of pupils from Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Askira-Uba Local Government Area were abducted when armed members of Boko Haram/ISWAP entered the school premises early on Friday. Mussa is a remote village that borders Sambisa Forest, a known terrorist enclave.

The post Abduction of students, teachers: Parents decry resurgence of evil act appeared first on Vanguard News.