Rights group commends release of kidnapped pupils, seeks summit on insecurity

Members of Education Rights Campaign (ERC) have commended the recent release of six kidnapped students of Lagos Model College, Igbonla, Epe.

The National Coordinator of the group, Hassan Taiwo Soweto urged the authorities to convene a summit on insecurity in the country’s schools.

In a statement to The Guardian, he described the incessant attacks on school children as an assault on the education sector.

Soweto, who is the spokesman for the Safe Schools and Communities Advocacy Group (SSCAG), said the summit would address the cause of insecurity in schools.

He said the summit was necessary to proffer a workable solution to the menace before schools’ resumption in the next academic session.

He said: “We are gladdened by the news and congratulate Lagosians and Nigerians who added their voice to ours in ensuring the release of the kidnapped students. This will bring immense relief to the traumatised parents and relatives of the kidnapped children.

“We must note that the kidnapped children were released and not rescued. This means that for the 64 days that they were abducted, the police and security agencies did little or nothing.”

He said the SSCAG and ERC were prepared to play an active role in proffering proactive measures to keep schools and children safe.

Soweto condemned the poor conditions of some schools in the state and urged Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to take steps to prevent another kidnap of children.