The former Chief of Army Staff Lt. General Tukur Yusuf Buratai (rtd) has called on the federal government to establish school safety task force in the country for the development of education.
Lt. Gen Buratai made the call in a keynote address at the 2025 International Hybrid Conference organised by the Faculty of Education, Federal University Gusau, Zamfara State.
Buratai who was represented by the Brigadier General MK Galadanchi (Rtd), at the occasion stated that the school safety task force should include military, police and community leaders.
“By establishing the school safety task force it can provide tailored security solutions to high risk areas”, he said.
He also suggested that the use of surveillance technology, including drones, can assiduously help monitor vulnerable school zones and prevent attacks.
“Education is fundamental human rights and critical driver of national development, if we fail to protect it, we jeopardize the future of our nation.
“However, if we rise to this challenge through innovation, collaboration, and unwavering commitment, we can assure that every Nigerian child has access to safe, equitable, and quality education,” he said.
Lt Gen Buratai lamented that the demographic survey conducted by UNICEF in 2024 indicated that girls constitute 60 per cent of the 10 million out-of-school children and are disproportionately affected by insecurity.
He added that attention must be given to children with disability who face compounded challenges in accessing education.
