security

Insecurity: UNICEF Urge Authorities to Beef up Security in Schools

Published

3 years ago

April 14, 2022

By Gom Mirian, Abuja

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has asked authorities in Nigeria to work out modalities for providing basic security in schools nationwide to provide a secure learning environment for every child in the country, especially for girls, to encourage girls’ education
The UN Children’s agency which made the call in a statement made available to newsmen on Wednesday by UNICEF communication specialist, Dr.

Geoffrey Njoku to mark the 8th Anniversary of the Abduction of 276 students at Government Girls’ Secondary school Chibok, says 11, 536 schools in Nigeria closed since December 2020 due to abductions and security issues.

The statement added that these school closures have impacted the education of approximately 1.3 million children in the 2020/21 academic year. This interruption of their learning contributes to gaps in children’s knowledge and skills and may lead to the loss of approximately 3.4 billion USD in these children’s lifetime earnings. This, risks to further perpetuate cycles of poverty and inequality.

Mr. Peter Hawkins, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria in the statement said “Unsafe schools, occasioned by attacks on schools and abduction of students, are reprehensible, a brutal violation of the rights of the victims to education, and totally unacceptable. Their occurrences cut short the futures and dreams of the affected students,”
“Attacks on learning institutions render the learning environment insecure and discourage parents and caregivers from sending their wards to schools, while the learners themselves become fearful of the legitimate pursuit of learning. The invisible harm school attacks inflict on the victims’ mental health is incalculable and irredeemable
“Girls have particularly been targeted, exacerbating the figures of out-of-school children in Nigeria, 60 percent of whom are girls. It is a trajectory which must be halted, and every hand in Nigeria must be on deck to ensure that learning in Nigeria is not a dangerous enterprise for any child, particularly for girls,” said Hawkins.
“UNICEF, with generous funding from donors, is collaborating with the government of Nigeria to protect children’s right to education in a safe and inclusive learning environment. This involves building the capacity of School-based management committees (SBMCs) on school safety and security and strengthening community resilience.
“In Katsina State,300 SBMC members have been trained, and schools, supported through the Girls’ Education Project (GEP3) funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office of the UK, have developed Emergency Preparedness and Response Plans to mitigate the impact of potential and actual threats.
“Multi-sectoral task teams on school safety have also been established across all the 34 LGAs of Katsina state to provide timely and efficient networking among actors on school security, with particular focus on the safety of girls. Additionally, 60 Junior Secondary Schools have developed emergency plans and tested the plans in evacuation drills.
“In Katsina State, government and communities have fenced some schools, and this is encouraging girls to attend school, underscoring the reality that collaboration is required in addressing insecurity in schools and making schools safe, especially for girls,” said Hawkins.
“Although Nigeria has ratified the Safe Schools Declaration, schools and learners are not sufficiently protected. Unless greater attention is given to protecting children, teachers and schools, they will continue to come under attack. Urgent, coordinated action is needed to safeguard the right to learn for every child in Nigeria”, the statement read

DEFENCE

NDA Announces Screening Test of Shortlisted Applicants for June 14

Published

16 hours ago

June 5, 2025

Editor_01

The Nigerian Defence Academy(NDA), on Thursday fixed the screening test of shortlisted applicants for June 14.

The Academy Spokesman, Maj. Mohammad Maidawa made the announcement, in a statement, in Kaduna.

Maidawa said, “The Nigerian Defence Academy hereby notifies all applicants to the 77 Regular Course that the shortlisted for the screening test on 14 June, is based on the official UTME results sent by JAMB to the Nigerian Defence Academy.

“Candidates are advised to check the portal to eliminate network issues as the reason for not being shortlisted.

” Afterwards, those who were not shortlisted for the screening test are advised to verify the current status of their results from the JAMB, “Maidawa said.

(NAN)

DEFENCE

Eid-el-Kabir: NSCDC deploys 2,900 personnel in Kwara

Published

2 days ago

June 4, 2025

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The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Kwara Command has deployed 2,900 personnel for the forthcoming Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

This is contained in a statement by the Command Public Relation Officer, Mr Ayoola Shola on Wednesday, in Ilorin.

Shola quoted the state Commandant of the corps, Umar Mohammed as assuring all residents and visitors in Kwara of a peaceful and well-secured celebration.

Mohammed explained that the deployed personnel would be strategically positioned across all 16 Local Government Areas to safeguard critical infrastructure, prayer grounds, recreational centers, and other high-traffic locations.

”All Area Commanders, Divisional Officers, and Tactical Units have been directed to remain on high alert and sustain proactive engagements with communities.

”Our presence will be visible, coordinated and reassuring, as we have assessed the risk areas, identified critical points and implemented a multi-layered approach to ensure a safe and peaceful celebration,” he said.

The commandant warned individuals and groups intending to use the festive atmosphere to create trouble, vandalise critical infrastructure or engage in any unlawful activity to desist or face the wrath of law.

He extended his heartfelt congratulations to the Muslim faithful on the occasion of the Eid-el-Kabir and urged the public to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies, by promptly reporting any suspicious movement or activities. (NAN)

DEFENCE

Insecurity: Police Confirm Attacks on 2 Benue LGs

Published

3 days ago

June 3, 2025

Editor_01

) The Benue Police Command has confirmed that suspected killer herdsmen on Sunday night attacked communities in Gwer West and Apa Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Edit Udeme, made the confirmation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Makurdi on Monday.

Udeme said that tactical teams were already deployed in the affected areas to restore peace and security.

She said that nine bodies were already recovered from Edikwu Community in Apa LGA, adding that the search for the missing natives was still ongoing.

She, however, said that she had yet to get the number of casualties from the Naka attack.

“This is to confirm that there was an attack yesterday at Naka and Apa and to let you know that tactical teams have been deployed and already on ground and are on top of the situation.

“I will get back to you after getting further and accurate information, please,” she said

A credible source from Apa LGA told newsmen that the attackers invaded the community at about 6:30pm on Sunday and started shooting sporadically, killing anyone in sight.

The source further said that over 25 persons were killed and that many were also taken away to unknown destinations during the deadly assault.

It said: “As I speak with you, there is no single object in the community.

“It was an unprovoked attack. We were unaware.

“Some people went to evening service, while others were at a beer joint when the killers came.

“It is an evening one can never imagine.

“Security personnel stationed at the area were overpowered as they looked so helpless.”

In a reaction to the attack on Naka, the Chairman, Gwer West Traditional Council, Daniel Abomtse, said that the attackers “came in a guerrilla style and attacked Tse Antswam.

“As I’m talking with you now, (Monday) morning, 18 corpses had been recovered and many people sustained varied degree of injuries.

“In fact, the way some people were butchered, I doubt if they will survive.

“The search is still ongoing because many ran into the bush with gun wounds and some also jumped into well to escape the herdsmen.”

The royal father said that the community attacked was opposite a military checkpoint on the Naka- Makurdi Road. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

The Benue Police Command has confirmed that suspected killer herdsmen on Sunday night attacked communities in Gwer West and Apa Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Edit Udeme, made the confirmation in an interview in Makurdi on Monday.