President Muhammadu Buhari says Nigeria is committed to observing all relevant international protocols, conventions, and treaties for the protection of schools and students from attack.
President Buhari who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, at the Global Safe Schools declaration in Abuja, hinted that relevant security agencies and education in emergencies working groups in Nigeria will continue to work for the promotion of the objectives of the Safe Schools Declaration.
According to a report by S.B Morgan, a total of 1,452 learners and education personnel were abducted between December 1, 2019, and September 2021.
Before this, however, there have been the abduction of students since 2014 from Chibok, Dapchi, Buni Yadi, Afaka, Kagara, Jangebe towns of Borno, Yobe, Kaduna, Niger, Zamfara, and Katsina States.
The global conference on safe schools provides the Nigerian government with another opportunity to put its political will to the test on the protection of schools.
Global development and educational organisations seek deeper advocacy and collective responsibility to rescue schools and students from incessant attacks and abduction.
While the two-day conference last, missing Chibok schoolgirls, Bethel High School, FGC Birnin Yauri, and Leah Sharibu are among a few students still in captivity of insurgents.