Insecurity: Ogun Private School Owners Order Tighter Surveillance, Staff Training

The Grand Union of Private Schools Association has directed all private school operators in Ogun State to immediately strengthen security measures across their campuses amid rising concerns over threats to learners and teachers.

The directive followed an emergency stakeholders’ meeting convened by the association to review growing insecurity in the education sector, particularly in the wake of recent attacks on schools in parts of the country.

In a statement signed by its President-General, Abdulazeez Ajibola, the association warned that no meaningful education could thrive in an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty, stressing that urgent, coordinated action was required to safeguard schools.

GUPSA, which comprises 15 private school associations in Ogun State, expressed solidarity with victims of school-related security breaches, especially in Oyo State, where incidents of abduction and violence have disrupted academic activities.

It lamented that learners and teachers had increasingly become targets of criminal elements, noting that such developments posed a grave threat to the nation’s education system.

“As stakeholders in the education sector, we cannot remain indifferent while innocent children and dedicated teachers are exposed to danger,” the statement read.

Security measures

The association directed school owners to heighten vigilance by improving surveillance within and around school premises and ensuring prompt reporting of suspicious activities to security agencies.

It also mandated compulsory security awareness training for teachers and non-teaching staff to enhance emergency response capacity.

GUPSA further advised schools to form security clusters within their localities to facilitate intelligence sharing and rapid response, urging close collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, the Peace Corps of Nigeria, the Police Community Relations Committee and the National School Crime Prevention Corps.

As part of capacity building, the body directed its members to undergo training in safety audits, risk assessment, emergency evacuation, first aid and crowd control.

Caution on school events

The association also urged caution in organising school events capable of attracting large gatherings, including inter-house sports, graduation ceremonies and prize-giving events.

It advised school administrators to prioritise risk assessment, enforce strict access control and liaise with security agencies before hosting such activities.

While acknowledging the government’s approval for graduation ceremonies for terminal classes, GUPSA stressed that safety considerations must take precedence over celebrations.

Call for stronger action

The group commended efforts of the Federal and Ogun State governments as well as security agencies but called for intensified operations to rescue victims still in captivity and restore confidence in the education sector.

“Every child belongs in the classroom, not in the hands of criminals,” the statement added.

GUPSA reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with stakeholders to ensure that schools remain safe and conducive for learning, insisting that proactive measures and collective vigilance were key to preventing further attacks.

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