The Peace Corps of Nigeria PCN has expressed grave concerns over the continued invasion of educational institutions by bandits across the country with callous abductions of innocent pupils and teachers for ransom purposes.
The Corps warned that the systemic criminal assault on academic system, if left unchecked, will threaten to completely undermine the fabric of educational sector.
Address a media conference in Abuja, National Commandant of the Corps,, Ambassador Dickson Ameh Akoh lamented that the wanton attacks on schools
will not only induce severe psychological trauma and pervasive fear among students, but will also profoundly discourage parents from sending their wards to schools and colleges, thereby jeopardizing the future of Nigerian youth.
In view of the escalating insecurity across the country, most notably the frequent invasions, targeting, and kidnapping of staff and students, Akoh canvassed the deployment of Peace Corps personnel to educational institutions to tackle the challenges headlong.
According to him, “the initiative seeks to deploy a layered security framework that integrates grassroots monitoring with robust early-warning systems to detect and mitigate threats before they escalate.
“By training and deploying disciplined officers and men as specialized safety officers, the initiative will address critical issues such as cultism, drug abuse, and unauthorized access, establishing a proactive, community-driven presence within schools and colleges to safeguard lives and property.
“Operating at the front-lines of the educational institutions, deployed personnel will focus primarily on continuous surveillance and intelligence gathering within school perimeters.
“By maintaining a constant, vigilant presence, the Corps will be strategically positioned to identify vulnerabilities, track suspicious activities, and detect potential security breaches by intruders.
“This critical, real-time intelligence will be seamlessly and rapidly transmitted to conventional security agencies, creating a vital link that enables a rapid, coordinated response to neutralize threats before harm can befall the academic community.
“Central to this model is its perfect alignment with Nigeria’s broader Safe Schools Strategy, providing a sustainable, cost-effective solution to the current security gaps in the educational sector.
“By bridging the operational gap between school administrations and formal security agencies, the Peace Corps will ensure that information sharing is instantaneous and actionable.
“Beyond physical protection, this integrated approach incorporates peace education and psycho-social support, effectively addressing the root causes of delinquency while establishing a secure, peaceful environment conducive to academic excellence and national development.
Akoh pleaded with the appropriate authorities to consider the position of the Corps towards combating banditry in schools so as to safeguard the educational future of the citizens and national development of the country.
