Insecurity: Educationists call for mapping of nation’s forests
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
Educationists in the country have canvassed for urgent geographical mapping of the nation’s forests, thick bushlands and rugged terrains being used as hideouts by suspected criminals.
Speaking as a guest lecturer at the quadrennial (19th) Kwara State wing of the Nigeria Union Teachers (NUT) Delegates 2026 in Ilorin on Monday, Vice Chancellor of Abdulrasaq Abubakar Toyin University (AATU), Ganmo, Kwara state, said that the move would allow the nation’s schools to be safe for academic learning.
Profeasor Ambali, who decried that criminals have turned forests, bushlands and other rugged terrains to perpetrate their nefarious activities in the country, said that, “We cannot talk about school insecurity without acknowledging the role of geography”.
Themed, “Education Will be Heading to the Brink in the Absence of Safe Schools in Nigeria- What are the Imperatives for Remedying the Monstrous and Anomalous Security Situation”, the lecture said that, “Forests, thick bushlands, and rugged terrains give criminals a distinct advantage.
“These areas provide natural concealment, making it difficult for security agencies to locate and
apprehend offenders.
“They also allow cross-state mobility, so perpetrators can strike in one area and disappear into another before anyone can respond”.
Ambali identified “Forest corridors in Zamfara, Kaduna, Niger, and Kebbi states, saying they are frequently used as operational hideouts.
“Even rural Kwara faces similar challenges near forest reserves, where security coverage is sparse.
“This is why relying solely on police raids is not enough: the environment itself needs development and surveillance
“Also, look at the evidence from Kaduna and Niger states. After some of the kidnappings there,
investigations revealed that attackers consistently retreated into forested zones.
“These are not isolated cases either, similar patterns have been observed in parts of Kwara and across North-Central Nigeria.
“These areas become operational hideouts precisely because the
terrain favours the criminals and security forces are limited in their reach.
“So, what does this mean for security strategies? Simply deploying personnel isn’t enough.
Effective solutions require mapping these terrains, integrating local intelligence, and conducting targeted patrols.
“Understanding the geography isn’t just academic, it’s critical for designing interventions that actually work.”
Also, in his remarks, the State Chairman of the NUT, Comrade Yusuf Wahab Agboola, said the conference was convened to review the union’s activities and discuss key issues affecting teachers and the education sector.
Agboola highlighted several achievements recorded through collaboration with the Kwara State Government, including the payment of long-standing salary arrears, implementation of teachers’ allowances, approval of teachers’ promotions, and regular payment of salaries.
He also noted that the implementation of the national minimum wage and other welfare measures had improved teachers’ conditions of service in the state.
The NUT Chairman further acknowledged the support of the Kwara State Government in improving facilities at the union’s secretariat and strengthening the welfare of teachers.
A major focus of the conference was the growing concern over insecurity and its impact on education across the country. Delegates noted that attacks on schools and rising insecurity pose serious threats to learning and the safety of teachers and students.
Stakeholders, therefore, called for stronger collaboration between government, communities, and security agencies to protect schools and ensure a safe learning environment.
Agboola urged teachers to remain committed to their responsibilities while working collectively to safeguard the future of education.
