Lawmaker says Kebbi school abduction exposes major security failure
A member of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewumi Adeyemi, has said that the abduction of 25 schoolgirls in Kebbi State is a clear sign that Nigeria must urgently review and strengthen its security system. He explained that the incident shows deep weaknesses in how the country gathers intelligence, prevents attacks, and coordinates security operations, especially in vulnerable communities.
According to reports, heavily armed terrorists attacked the Government Girls’ Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area early on Monday morning. They stormed the school around 4:00 a.m., opened fire, killed a staff member, and abducted 25 students. The attack caused fear and panic among residents and left many families devastated.
Reacting to the situation in a statement on Wednesday, Adeyemi said the incident raises serious questions about how secure Nigerian schools really are. He described the attack as another painful example of how unsafe children have become, even in places meant to nurture and protect them. He noted that families are grieving and communities are traumatised because gunmen continue to operate with ease, repeating the same pattern of attacks without strong resistance.
The lawmaker stressed that repeated attacks on schools and even on security personnel show that something is fundamentally wrong with the country’s security structure. He pointed out issues such as slow response times, weak preventive systems, and poor coordination among security agencies. He added that confusion within command structures often affects the effectiveness of operations when emergencies occur.
Adeyemi said the country needs a major strategic overhaul. He explained that Nigeria must strengthen internal security systems and provide security agencies with modern tools, clearer instructions, and stronger support. He also said that schools must have better safety measures to reduce the chances of such attacks happening again.
He warned that when a country cannot protect its people, it creates space for external pressure, making it harder to maintain national sovereignty. For him, improving security is the only way to safeguard lives and maintain stability. He called on political leaders at every level to prioritise public safety above all else.
The lawmaker also urged the government to prioritise school security by introducing community-based early-warning systems. He said such mechanisms would help detect threats earlier and allow communities and security agencies to respond faster and more effectively.
Adeyemi concluded that Nigeria must act immediately to prevent future tragedies and ensure that children can go to school without fear.
