Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Christopher Musa has called for a unified effort to safeguard schools in Nigeria’s North East, amid an alarming increase in attacks on educational institutions. He emphasized the need for collaboration among security agencies, Parent-Teacher Associations, traditional and religious leaders, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to ensure the safety of schoolchildren.

General Musa made this call at a one-day workshop held at Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri. The workshop, themed “Providing Secured and Safe Learning Environment for the Advancement of National Development,” aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aiming to enhance school safety across the country.

Citing past attacks on schools, such as the tragic incidents at Government Girls Secondary School Chibok and others in Dapchi, Kaduna, and Zamfara, the CDS stressed that protecting schools cannot rest solely on the military. “This is a shared responsibility,” General Musa said. He also noted that the initiative, launched in March 2024, has entered its second phase, which focuses on mobilizing forces nationwide for school protection.

Stakeholders at the event, including the police, NSCDC, and traditional leaders, commended General Musa’s efforts and underscored the importance of collective action in addressing the security challenges facing schools.