WHY THERE HAS BEEN A DECLINE IN MASS STUDENT ABDUCTIONS IN BORNO AND ZULUM

Babatunji Wusu –

The state of Borno has taken significant action in response to the widespread kidnappings of schoolchildren, according to Governor Babagana Zulum.
This was said by the governor to State House Correspondents on Tuesday following a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

According to Governor Zulum, the Safe School Initiative, which has been in existence for the previous seven or eight years, is the reason for the low state rate of student abductions.

He said that the majority of the schools are securely walled and staffed by security personnel, and that the state also employs civilian JTF, hunters, and vigilantes in addition to military and other agency involvement.

He said: “We have started since not now because we launched this programme (Safe School Initiative) about seven to eight years ago. Because of the insecurity station in our own state.

“I believe almost of our schools are well fenced as part of the safe school initiative. We have also deployed the military, the civilian JTF, as well as hunters and vigilantes who are working closely to ensure that our schools are safe.

“So we’re doing very well, I believe you haven’t heard much in Borno State as regards abduction of school children, it is because our school initiative is working very well. And I also want to commend the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian police and all others. We’re working closely and they’re doing very well in terms of safeguarding our own schools.”