Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Uganda Monitor
Published on 2024-03-27 19:30:00
In Nigeria, the fear of armed criminals attacking schools and kidnapping students and teachers has become a harsh reality for many parents in recent years. The most well-known incident was the abduction of 276 students from a girls’ school in Chibok in 2014, sparking global outrage and the “bring back our girls” campaign. More recently, on March 7, 2024, about 286 students and teachers were abducted from the LEA Primary School Kuriga in Kaduna State.
My research focuses on violence, organized crime, conflict, and security governance, particularly in relation to bandit attacks on educational facilities in north-west Nigeria. Through in-depth qualitative interviews and data analysis, I have identified key reasons for the targeting of schools and students by these criminal groups.
The failure of governance plays a significant role in allowing such attacks to occur, as the lack of government presence and security in remote areas leaves schools vulnerable. Additionally, the large forest zones in the north-west provide a haven for bandits to operate freely and target schools located on the outskirts of villages. The vulnerability of children, both physically and mentally, makes them easy targets for kidnappers who seek ransom payments.
These attacks have severe impacts on education, leading to loss of lives, fear, sexual violence, forced displacements, and decreasing school enrollment. Students are killed, girls are subjected to rape, and many are forced to drop out or relocate due to the ongoing threat of violence. The disruption to education not only affects the current generation but also has long-term implications for the security of the region, as out-of-school children may be at risk of recruitment by extremist groups.
In response to these challenges, it is crucial to secure forest areas and collaborate with affected communities to address the root causes of the violence. Revitalizing initiatives like the Safe School Initiative, with proper coordination and community involvement, can help create a safer learning environment for students. Additionally, incorporating preventive measures such as psychotherapy and healthcare support for victims of violence is essential in ensuring the resilience of those affected.
By understanding the dynamics of bandit attacks on schools and students and implementing strategic solutions that involve the community and prioritize the well-being of students, we can work towards creating a safer and more secure environment for education in Nigeria.
[By Oluwole Ojewale – Regional Coordinator, Institute for Security Studies]
Read the original article on Uganda Monitor
