A Lagos lawmaker has joined growing calls for a national plan to keep schools safe after a string of kidnappings and attacks on students around Nigeria.
Speaking at a recent security meeting in Abuja, the Member of the House of Representatives for Kosofe, Hon. Kafilat Ogbara, said the country needs a clear “safe-schools protection framework” so police, the military and school managers know what to do before, during and after attacks.
The idea is to protect children, teachers and school buildings and to set fast rules for rescue and care.
The demand follows several mass abductions and attacks that have alarmed parents and lawmakers. The Senate and the House of Representatives have debated stronger steps, including more security for vulnerable boarding schools, panic-alert systems and a federal fund to help rescued children recover.
Lawmakers also want a review of how money for the Safe Schools programme has been spent.
Child-rights groups and international agencies say the problem is urgent. Plan International warned that hundreds of children have been taken this year and urged quick action to keep schools open and safe so pupils can learn without fear.
Lagos State already runs a local Safe Schools programme that trains school staff and checks buildings for risks.
Supporters say a national framework would help spread those good steps to other states and make rescue work faster and more organised.
It remains to be seen if lawmakers will push a bill to make a national safe-schools law or if the federal government could issue emergency rules.
