Despite the launch of the Safe School Initiative in 2024 and the declaration of a state of emergency on education in Kano State, the continued absence of security personnel has left many public schools vulnerable to attacks.
The lack of stable and adequate security has led to widespread vandalism, with laboratory equipment, windows, and other essential learning facilities destroyed or stolen by criminals.
In a disturbing example, all the buildings of Zawa’i Primary School in Fagge LGA have been completely levelled by vandals, with even the iron rods carted away.
In this Special Report, Nigeria Info investigated the implementation of the Safe School Initiative, which promised the deployment of over 17,000 security personnel across Kano State.
Local Guards Narrate Ordeal, Threaten Resignation
Vandalism of public schools across Kano State is becoming a major threat to the already fragile education sector, as criminals continue to loot materials meant to enhance learning and teaching.
Several schools now resemble war zones or abandoned construction sites, without doors, windows, and desks, even in institutions that once had them.
Our investigation revealed that the growing wave of vandalism is largely due to the absence of adequate, trained, and well-equipped security personnel at school gates.
Sanusi Dankoli Fagge, a local guard at Government College Kano (KTC), narrated how his colleague, Abubakar Saraju, voluntarily resigned from Government Senior Secondary School, Maikwatashi, after being brutally macheted by criminals while on night duty. Insert…
“Thugs attacked the guard at Maikwatashi. They seriously injured him, and since then, he said he would no longer continue with the work.
“It’s unfortunate, because during his time, he was really helpful. Now, just look at the level of destruction and vandalism - it’s painful.
“This job is not easy. I’ve been doing it for the past 10 years. I was initially engaged by Mallam Hadi, a stakeholder in the school. Yet, despite several promises over the years, none of us has been given permanent employment.
“We are risking our lives daily without proper protection, recognition, or support. Something needs to change,” Dankoli narrated.
Similarly, local guards recently deployed by the Ministry of Internal Affairs lamented poor welfare and being armed with only blunt tools in contrast to the criminals’ superior weapons. (Photo: Blunt weapons wielded by guards at Govt. College)
“We are exposed and vulnerable while protecting these schools from thugs armed only with weak and insufficient weapons, while they come at us with heavy and dangerous arms,” a guard lamented.
He added, “The government had promised to provide us with firearms and more working tools, but that promise has not been fulfilled. At this rate, the thugs may overpower us.
“They also pledged to provide us with meals, but we haven’t received anything yet. If there’s no improvement, many of us may be forced to resign by the end of the month.”
Over N1,600 Students Withdraw from GSS Maikwatashi Due to Insecurity
At the Government Senior Secondary School, Maikwatashi, located along Ibo Road by Enugu Road in Fagge LGA, the complete absence of security personnel has left the premises in ruins.
Laboratory equipment, furniture, roofs, and all learning materials have been stolen by criminals who operate at night.
Once bustling with over 2,000 students, the school now hosts fewer than 400, as many parents have withdrawn their children due to concerns over safety and dilapidated infrastructure.
(Photo: scenes from GSS, Maikwatashi)
Samuel Mbadiwe, a volunteer caretaker of the school, shared how he constructed a makeshift perimeter fence to deter criminals, but it was torn down before morning.
“Most nights, I don’t even sleep. I’m not the security. The security will sometimes complain that they (criminals) are 20 or 30 in number. Sometimes, I mobilise boys to the school and chase them away.
“There was a time, around midnight, I heard sounds. They were breaking the place, I went to the main road, I called the polie. They came here, shot and made away with items they brought out,” Samuel narrated.
Deeply disturbed, the school's Old Students Association BoT Chairmen, Ifeanyi Chinwuba and Kabiru Nuhu, decried the loss of essential learning materials and called for urgent government intervention.
According to Ifeanyi, “The criminal activities going on here is disturbing. What we have here now is about 400 and something students.” He added that “they used to have over 2000 to 3000 students before.”
Lamenting further, he remarked, “If the government had not neglected the school, it would not be in this position. The place is a hideout for criminals.
“I will not advise my person to come and school here. The laboratory equipment and generator are gone. Their safety is not guaranteed. And we are talking of out-of-school children.”
In a desperate act of solidarity, Mrs. Gloria Michael, a resident living adjacent to the school, offered her home to safeguard some of the remaining materials from thieves.
“There is no security here. They have vandalised everything. Students are still coming. They have gone on vacation now. The problem is that with this vandalism, nowhere to sit down. As a mother would not allow my child to come here.
“The criminals are operating at night. They remove the windows and the doors. But it's even affecting us in our business place. They are coming from Brigade.” Said Mr. Gloria.
Zawa’i Primary School Levelled, KCS Looted
Zawa’i Primary School wasn’t as lucky; the entire school was looted, with books, desks, windows, and even blackboards all gone, leaving many pupils at risk of dropping out altogether.
Nigeria Info visited the over three-decade-old school located within the premises of GSS Maikwatashi and observed that blocks housing the primary section have been reduced to rubble. (Photo: Zawa’I Primary School)
Likewise, repeated attacks at Kano Commercial School pushed the staff to write formally to the Ministry of Internal Security, leading to the deployment of 50 vigilantes to guard the school.
Nigeria Info observed that more than 58 windows, classroom doors, laboratory tools, and even a borehole donated in 2022 through the AGILE Project were vandalised after criminals breached a broken fence.
(Photo: Destruction at KACSH)
This pattern is not isolated; many public schools across the state lack perimeter fencing or have breaches, leaving them vulnerable to repeated invasions and theft.
Authorities React, Reaffirm Stricter Safety Measures
In response, Governor Abba Yusuf announced in May 2025 the recruitment of 17,600 school security guards to be deployed across all 44 local government areas of Kano State.
However, SP Ibrahim Abdullahi, spokesperson of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Kano, told our reporter that full deployment of personnel to schools is yet to begin.
According to Abdullahi, the NSCDC continues to patrol and monitor high-risk zones, especially schools located near state borders that are vulnerable to banditry and kidnappings.
He said, “Although we have not yet started deploying our personnel to those schools. But then, from time to time, our personnel in the state headquarters and also at the regional levels used to go to those schools and make sure that they patrol those schools.
“They do some surveillance around the places within the school's environment, and make sure that hoodlums and miscreants are not given a chance to attack schools and disrupt any academic activities.”
Also speaking, Dr. Ali Makoda, Kano State Commissioner for Education, reiterated that the deployment process is ongoing, with some schools in vulnerable communities already benefiting.
He added that the government is working to construct perimeter fences and renovate classrooms across all LGAs, while assuring parents of improved security measures.
According to Makoda, “We do receive a case of theft every blessed day, and this is due to the absence of the security guards in those schools.
“This project (Safe School Initiative) has already started, and we have started drafting security to most of the schools. We are working tirelessly to make sure that we fence each school so that we have maximum protection.”
With schools set to resume in September, education stakeholders are placing their hopes on the government to complete the policy implementation and ensure that no child is left behind due to insecurity.
