Former Kaduna Central Senator Shehu Sani has called for the introduction of a comprehensive national security framework following the reported rescue of students and teachers who were kidnapped in Oyo State.
Reacting to the development, Sani described the safe return of the victims as encouraging but stressed that the incident highlights the urgent need for long-term strategies to protect schools and vulnerable communities across Nigeria. He said while successful rescue operations deserve commendation, preventing future abductions should remain the government’s primary focus.
According to the former lawmaker, recurring attacks on educational institutions demonstrate the need for a more proactive security approach. He urged federal and state authorities to strengthen intelligence gathering, improve coordination among security agencies, and deploy modern surveillance technology to detect and prevent criminal activities before they occur.
Sani also advocated increased investment in community policing and local intelligence networks, arguing that residents often possess valuable information that can help security agencies identify threats at an early stage. He maintained that effective collaboration between government institutions and local communities would significantly enhance public safety.
The former senator further called for improved security infrastructure around schools, including perimeter fencing, surveillance systems, emergency communication channels, and rapid-response teams capable of intervening during emergencies. He noted that ensuring the safety of students and teachers is essential to sustaining confidence in Nigeria’s education sector.
The rescue of the Oyo schoolchildren has generated widespread reactions from political leaders, civil society groups, and education stakeholders, many of whom have renewed calls for reforms aimed at tackling kidnapping and violent crime.
Security experts have similarly argued that addressing insecurity requires a combination of intelligence-driven policing, improved technology, stronger law enforcement, and socio-economic policies that reduce the conditions enabling criminal activities.
