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The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has said that no fewer than 100 schools across the country have been saved from terrorists' attacks in the first quarter of the year through the Safe School Initiative (SSI) campaign.
The SSI was established in response to the increasing spate of kidnappings of schoolchildren by bandits, terrorists and other criminals.
The country has witnessed a series of attacks on schools, especially in northern states, after the novel abduction of 300 schoolgirls from Chibok, Borno State by Boko Haram terrorists in 2014.
The Safe School Initiative, domiciled in the NSCDC aims to ensure that children in conflict zones or areas plagued by insecurity could continue their education unhindered.
The Commander, National Safe School Response Coordination Centre, Hameed Abodunrin, said the initiative had successfully thwarted over 100 attacks on schools nationwide between January and June 2024.
He said, “Foiled attempts (on schools) are more than 100. Mentioning where they happened can create panic situations. The fear of insecurity is worse than the security itself. About 20 million children are already out of school not just because of the economy but because of attacks on education.
“Generally speaking, the North-East, North-West and North-Central states are mostly affected. Just recently in Benue State, a personnel of the NSCDC was shot in the crossfire to prevent mass abduction. He is still recuperating. Perpetrators are encouraged by the economic gains of ransom payments.”
