The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ has condemned the recent abduction of over 200 students of the Federal College of Forestry Mechanization, Afaka, in the Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna state.
A statement by the National President of NAWOJ, Ladi Bala says the latest abduction is the fourth in the series of attacks on schools in the last two months.
“From Kankara in Katsina State to Kagara in Niger, Jangebe in Zamfara and now Kaduna state, with the same mode of operation is certainly one attack too many for comfort,” she said.
The NAWOJ President, therefore, called on the Federal Government and security agencies for urgent and proactive actions to halt the activities of criminals in the country.
She said it is quite disheartening to note that in recent times schools in northern Nigeria have come under a serious security threat, thereby putting teaching and learning in jeopardy.
According to Ladi Bala, the ugly trend spells doom for the future of Nigeria especially the young boys and girls who are the leaders of tomorrow.
She said NAWOJ views the attacks on schools as a deliberate attempt to scuttle the Nigerian government’s achievement in the reduction in out of school children from the alarming rate of over twelve million to seven million.
Ladi Bala who commended efforts put in place by the government and developmental partners to bridge the gaps of learning lost to COVID-19 said the wave of abductions of students is counterproductive.
“When schools are no longer safe for learning owing to the activities of criminals that seem to have taken over and calling the shots, it is not only inimical but retrogressive as well as alarming in Nigeria’s developmental stride,” she noted.
The NAWOJ president further suggested the deployment of security personnel at all the boarding schools and it’s environs, also advised the government at all levels, not to negotiate with abductors and related criminals in the interest and safety of Nigerians.
Abdullahi Lamino
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