A member of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewumi Adeyemi, has attributed the abduction of 25 schoolgirls in Kebbi State to significant security lapses, emphasizing the urgent need for a review of Nigeria’s security strategy.
The incident took place late Sunday night at Government Girls’ Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area. Armed assailants stormed the school, resulting in the death of the vice principal, Malami Hassan Yakubu, and the kidnapping of 25 students.
On Wednesday, Adeyemi expressed that the abduction highlights ongoing deficiencies in intelligence gathering, preventive security measures, and inter-agency coordination for protecting at-risk communities.
He stated, “There are moments when a nation must pause and ask itself hard questions. This is one of those moments. The abduction of twenty-five schoolgirls in Kebbi State is another painful reminder of how fragile the safety of the Nigerian child has become.
“Schools, which should be the safest places for learning and growth, are once again violated by gunmen who operate with troubling ease. Families are grieving, communities are traumatised, and a nation is left wondering when this cycle will finally end.”
Adeyemi further noted that the attacks expose deeper structural issues within Nigeria’s security system, such as intelligence deficiencies, weak preventive strategies, sluggish response capabilities, poor inter-agency coordination, and ambiguous command structures.
He urged the government to overhaul security operations by fortifying internal systems, providing agencies with advanced tools, and establishing clear mandates to enhance efficiency.
“Our security agencies need better tools, clearer mandates, and stronger support. Our schools need fortified safety structures. Our communities need early-warning systems. And our political leadership at every level must prioritise the lives and welfare of the people above every other consideration,” he said.
Adeyemi also called on authorities to prioritise school safety and implement early-warning mechanisms within communities to avert further tragedies.
