Otti: School Security Must Be Top Priority as Kidnappings Threaten Education

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has stressed the need for governments at all levels to prioritise the security of schools, warning that the rising incidents of abduction of students and teachers in parts of the country require urgent and coordinated action.

Otti said his administration considers school safety a critical pillar of its education reform programme, adding that every school being renovated or newly constructed in the state must comply with minimum security standards.

The governor spoke while receiving a delegation from the National Safe School Integrated Command and Intelligence System at the Government House.

According to him, schools must be designed with adequate security infrastructure to guarantee a safe learning environment for pupils, students and teachers.

"Every school we are renovating or constructing in Abia must meet minimum security standards. They must be properly fenced, have gates and security personnel. We are determined to ensure that our children learn in a safe and secure environment," Otti said.

The governor also disclosed that Abia State currently commits 20 per cent of its annual budget to the education sector, while operating a functional Security Command and Control Centre with the emergency response number 112 for residents facing security threats.

He said the state's emergency response system would be integrated with the National Safe School initiative to strengthen coordination and improve response to security emergencies involving schools.

"We already have a Command and Control Centre. What is required is integration, not duplication. Once there is an emergency, the response system is activated immediately, and by working together, we will achieve our common objective of protecting our schools," he added.

Otti also commended the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for supporting efforts to safeguard lives and property across the state.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Dr. Umannah Amadi, an Assistant Commandant-General of the NSCDC, presented the organisation's four-year strategic work plan and called for stronger collaboration with the Abia State Government to enhance the protection of both public and private schools.

Amadi also invited Governor Otti to visit the National Safe School Response and Coordination Centre in Abuja.

Speaking during the visit, the Head of ICT of the organisation, Mr. Ikor Felix, disclosed that more than 169,000 schools have so far been registered on the National Safe School digital platform in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Education.

According to him, the platform evaluates the vulnerability of schools using indicators such as perimeter fencing, surveillance systems, security personnel, emergency response facilities and geo-location technology to facilitate rapid deployment during emergencies.

Felix thanked the Abia State Government for refurbishing the organisation's operational vehicles and pledged continued cooperation in strengthening school security across the state.