The menace of kidnapping which is growing at an alarming rate is no doubt a war declared on education and government, relevant stakeholders, NGOs, etc efforts in curbing the high rate of children that are out-of-school in the Northern region.
The North in several reports has been found to be left behind in terms of education, compared to the South. The first kidnapping in Northern Nigeria was the abduction of students of a girls’ school in Chibok Borno, state in 2013, where more than 200 female students were abducted by Boko Haram terrorists.
The recent rise of banditry activities in Zamfara, Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto states has sent panic in the minds of citizens, as no one knows who might be the next victim. Despite the recent appointment of new service chiefs by the president, the menace keeps growing at an alarming rate. As Nelson Mandela said “Education is a powerful weapon with which we can use to change the world”. No nation can progress without education. Therefore, government needs to employ new tactics in addressing the issue of insecurity and attacks on schools. Favorable environment where students can learn without fear should be created.
Hajara Abdullahi,
Department of Mass Communication,
Bayero University, Kano
Phlosopherquin162@gmail.
