The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has expressed concern over what it described as the “quiet abandonment’’ of the Safe School Initiative by government authorities across the country.
Speaking to newsmen on Wednesday after a meeting of party leaders in Abuja, the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, said the neglect of the programme had exposed school children to increased security risks.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the closed-door meeting was chaired by the party’s National Chairman, Senator David Mark, and attended by prominent Nigerians, including former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai.
Abdullahi explained that the Safe School Initiative was established to strengthen security in schools and protect vulnerable children from repeated abductions. He said that although the programme was not perfect, it demonstrated a national commitment to ensuring that children learn and grow in safe environments.
“Today, that commitment has been abandoned. Government must demonstrate leadership, not fear,” he said.
He criticised some state governments for shutting down schools and sending thousands of pupils home instead of addressing the underlying security lapses.
According to him, closing schools “only emboldens terrorists,” stressing that if institutions are unsafe, the appropriate response should be to reinforce security, not halt learning.
The ADC spokesman urged the Federal Government to deploy Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) personnel to unity schools nationwide to safeguard students.
“Protecting our schools is a constitutional obligation. Continued capitulation worsens insecurity. Every day schools remain closed, terrorists gain confidence, communities suffer anxiety, and national stability further erodes,” he warned.
Abdullahi called for decisive and transparent measures to secure all affected schools and ensure students return to their classrooms safely.
“Bring our children back to school safely. Demonstrate that Nigeria refuses to bow to terror and remains committed to securing every child’s right to education and safety,” he said.
He also congratulated families and communities whose loved ones were recently rescued, including abducted CAC worshippers in Kwara State and the schoolchildren taken from GGCS, Maga in Kebbi State.
