Following the recent kidnapping of teachers and students in the Ahoro-Esinle community and nearby Ogbomoso, Oyo State, the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) has demanded more protection surrounding schools and vulnerable rural communities.
According to Naija News, private school owners from all five of the Ogbomoso axis’ local government areas organized a special prayer and intercession program on Tuesday, where the group made the demand.
The coordinated attacks on schools in the Oriire Local Government Area, which terrified parents, teachers, school owners, and locals, served as the backdrop for the program.
Olawale Ojewumi, the district secretary, Tope Olaniyan, the public relations officer, and Bosede Ajala, the district chairperson, spoke on behalf of the organization in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, and stated that the attacks had caused grave alarm in the education sector.
They observed that schools were more vulnerable to criminal attacks, particularly those located in remote and rural areas.
The group claims that security authorities and the federal and state governments must act immediately to address the situation.
Remember that the victims were taken during coordinated attacks on Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School; and L.A. Primary School, Esiele, in the Oriire Local Government Area, at approximately 9:30 a.m. on Friday.
The group called on security services, the Oyo State government, and the federal government to improve security measures surrounding educational institutions.
It stated that schools in remote and vulnerable areas, where there is frequently no security presence, should receive more attention.
“NAPPS intends to use this time to urge the federal government, the government of Oyo State, and security services to immediately reinforce the security architecture surrounding educational institutions, particularly those situated in rural and vulnerable communities.
“Schools should continue to be secure learning environments and not be targets of criminal activity.
The organization stated, “We also call for the deployment of modern surveillance technology, improved intelligence gathering, and rapid response mechanisms to prevent future attacks and ensure the swift rescue of abducted victims.”
NAPPS emphasized that in order to rebuild public trust in the safety of schools in Ogbomoso and other regions of the nation, immediate and visible security action was required.
According to the group, parents need to be confident that their kids may go to school without fear, and educators and other staff members need to be safeguarded while performing their jobs.
It further stated that the incident had beyond local concerns, characterizing it as a danger to community safety and education.
The organization urged parents, community leaders, religious leaders, school owners, and other interested parties to join together in prayer and support of school safety.
It urged people to stay watchful and work with security authorities, saying that the government should not be the only one responsible for school safety.
“One school is not solely responsible for this. According to NAPPS, “an attack on one school is an attack on all schools.”
Additionally, the association prayed for the comfort of the families impacted by the catastrophe and the safe return of all kidnapped individuals.
In order to stop more attacks on educational institutions, it urged increased cooperation between the government, security services, and school owners.
The most recent incident should serve as a wake-up call for authorities to prioritize school safety, especially in rural areas where instructors and students are still at risk, according to NAPPS.
