Female students in Nigeria have been gripped with fear as the kidnapping of their peers at universities and other institutions continues to rise.
LEADERSHIP Sunday reports that kidnapping of female students in recent times has become a distressing issue, affecting both secondary and tertiary schools.
This has sparked widespread fear among students, igniting debates about the role of the government in ensuring the safety of citizens, especially students.
From the most notorious abduction of Chibok girls in 2014 from a secondary school in Chibok, Borno State, similar abductions have continued to occur in various parts of the country.
In recent years, many more female students have been abducted from Nigerian schools, though exact numbers are difficult to determine due to the fluid nature of these incidents.
In 2021, female students from the Federal Government Girls’ College, a secondary school in Niger State, were abducted by bandits.
Recently, a number of such incidents occurred, including one at Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University Makurdi (JOSTUM), where three female students were abducted.
Although the female students at JOSTUM were released on Thursday, these events have put the education of female students at risk, prompting calls for intervention and protection.
In an interview with LEADERSHIP Sunday, a final year student at JOSTUM and former spokesperson of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Comrade Gundu Mimidoo Joy, lamented the ongoing insecurity in the country.
She described the kidnapping of female students as a stark reminder of Nigeria’s decaying security architecture, which has left campuses vulnerable to attacks.
“We condemn this senseless act of violence and demand that the federal government, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, takes immediate and decisive action to ensure the safety and security of all students on Nigerian campuses,” she said.
Addressing the recent abductions in her school, she called on the inspector-general of police (IGP), the director-general of the Department of State Services (DSS), the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), and other security agencies to work tirelessly to end the menace.
“We demand that they leave no stone unturned in their efforts to rescue our students and bring the perpetrators to justice. The abduction of our students is a wake-up call on the federal government to take concrete steps to address the security challenges facing our nation,” she added.
According to her, the government must provide enough security personnel and infrastructure to protect campuses, conduct thorough investigation into student abductions, prosecute those found guilty, and offer counseling and support services to the families of the victims.
“We urge all Nigerian students to remain calm but remain vigilant and to demand that their rights to safety and security are respected. We will continue to monitor the situation and take all necessary actions to ensure the safety of students,” she concluded.
Also, Happiness Christopher, a female student at Federal Polytechnic, Kaduna, expressed fears about staying in a hostel, given the rising cases of kidnapping.
“The spate of kidnapping, especially of girls, has become a serious issue and is discouraging many girls who aspire to further their education.
“When I got my admission here this year, I was hesitant to stay in the hostel despite being offered accommodation, due to fear of the unknown. Right now, I am already making plans to move out of the campus.
“The government and the school authorities need to do everything in their power to provide a safe environment for girls’ education,” she added.
At the Federal University, Keffi, some female students also expressed concerns about their safety. Grace Udhomah, a recent graduate, expressed the anxiety felt by students, particularly females, as kidnapping persists.
“The issue of kidnapping of students is worrisome and requires urgent intervention by the authorities. Imagine sending your child to study and not having peace of mind as a parent, constantly fearing for his or her safety.
“I think the government should establish strong security bases in all schools to ensure proper protection for the students,” she said.
