Education
FG’s Safe Schools Initiative to Fully Take Off Soon
FG’s Safe Schools Initiative to Fully Take Off Soon
By Michael Mike
The Federal Government’s Safe Schools Initiative is to fully take off soon as preparation for it is almost concluded.
A statement on Tuesday by the spokesman of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Olusola Odumosu read that: “Preparatory for the full take off of the Federal Government’s Safe Schools Initiative, the Financing Safe School Secretariat/Technical Working Committee has expressed satisfaction with the level of preparedness of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to guarantee success of the programme.”
He said while hosting the technical working committee on national schools security, at the Corps National Headquarters, Abuja, the Commandant General, NSCDC, Dr Ahmed Audi appreciated the team for their support, commitment and synergy with sister agencies towards ensuring that schools in Nigeria are secured.
He said that, to protect schools, the Corps introduced the School Community Security Vanguard, established the Special Female Squad, Integrated Electronic Arrest Reporting System (I-EARS) amongst others.
According to Audi, two locations have been proposed to be developed as permanent control rooms for the programme by the NSCDC.
He said: “Two permanent sites are also allocated for the building of national schools’ security and emergency response centre readily available within the premises.
“There is a national center design for the construction of the safe school and will be made available for viewing if you decide to site the safe school here.
He reiterated that, as the lead agency in the protection of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure, NSCDC is ready to deliver on the assignment, while also tasking Private Guard Companies (PGC) on timely grassroot intelligence gathering to ensure adequate protection of schools in the country.
He affirmed that, the Corps had trained well over 3.5 million guards and advised that since they are close to the grassroots, that relationship could be exploited to attract credible intelligence.
The Head of Financing safe schools secretariat and Technical working committee, Ministry of Finance, Mrs Halima Iliya, appreciated the Corps’ donations and promised to utilize the infrastructure provided.
After inspecting the donated office workspace and control room, Iliya said that the committee will remodel the office as it lacks funds for construction of the undeveloped donated sites.
She said that a lot of advocacy will be carried out in rural areas as she advocated for the importance of community response.
She stressed the need for all stakeholders most especially, security agencies to continue to evolve proactive measures that would yield results in response to the nation’s security challenges.
FG’s Safe Schools Initiative to Fully Take Off Soon
UNIMAID Student Drowns in Gwange River, Another Rescued
By: Zagazola Makama
A tragic drowning incident has claimed the life of a University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) student, while another was rescued after they went swimming at the Gwange River Bank in Maiduguri.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred on March 14, 2025, around 7:00 p.m., when two UNIMAID students, identified as Abafras Abdiel from the Department of Forestry and Silas Sule from the Department of Geology, went to the Gwange River Bank behind ECWA Church for a swim.
While diving, both students drowned in the river, prompting an emergency response. A combined rescue team, including the police, divers, and fire service personnel, was immediately mobilized to the scene.
The rescue team managed to retrieve both victims and rushed them to the State Specialist Hospital, Maiduguri. While Abafras Abdiel was admitted for treatment, Silas Sule was unfortunately certified dead by doctors. His body has since been deposited at the hospital for autopsy and further investigations.
The authorities have urged students and residents to exercise caution when engaging in activities near water bodies, especially during the dry season, when river currents can be unpredictable.
UNIMAID Student Drowns in Gwange River, Another Rescued
Federal University Gusau: A 300-level student died in a bandit’s den in Zamfara
By: Our Reporter
This is truly heartbreaking. Zarah Abubakar Shehu, a 21-year-old 300-level student at Federal University Gusau, was abducted along with her two siblings by bandits in the early hours of Sunday, November 3, 2024, from their home in the Damba area of Gusau, Zamfara State.
The kidnappers initially demanded a ransom of ₦35 million for their release. After much struggle, the family managed to gather ₦10 million, which the kidnappers agreed to accept. However, even after receiving the money, they still refused to release Zarah. Instead, they demanded four motorcycles (Boza) and four cartons of engine oil.
Zarah and her siblings spent four months in captivity. When all the items were finally gathered, the kidnappers’ leader was informed. He then called his men to check on the captives. To everyone’s horror, his men responded that only two children remained; one of them, Zarah, had passed away and had already been buried two days earlier.
Zarah was the only daughter of her mother, making her loss even more devastating. Her passing is not just a tragedy for her family but a heartbreaking reflection of the ongoing insecurity in Zamfara State and the pain that countless families endure.
Federal University Gusau: A 300-level student died in a bandit’s den in Zamfara
Gunmen Kidnap Four Students in Katsina State
By: Zagazola Makama
Suspected armed bandits have abducted four students from Paris Quarters, behind the Federal University, Dutsinma, in Katsina State, security sources told Zagazola Makama on Sunday.
The attack occurred at about 2:20 a.m. on Sunday, when the assailants, reportedly in large numbers, quietly invaded the area and whisked away four individuals.
The victims have been identified as Wali Kayode (25), Fahad Muhammad (20), Emmanuel (surname unknown), and another yet-to-be-identified person.
Security operatives were mobilized to the scene immediately after receiving a distress call but the bandits had fled.
Security sources said that Efforts are ongoing to track down the kidnappers and rescue the victims safely.
Gunmen Kidnap Four Students in Katsina State
Troops Repel Bandit Attack, Rescue Lower Sharia Court Judge in Katsina State
Clash Between Commuters and Customs Officers Leads to Accident and Mob Violence in Maiadua, Kastina
Bandit Attack Foiled in Musawa LGA Kastina As Nine Kidnapped Victims Rescued
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