Despite $30m Safe School Initiative, 1,680 schoolchildren kidnapped, 180 schools attacked — Senate

The Senate has noted that despite the $30m Safe School Initiative, over 1,680 schoolchildren have been kidnapped and 180 educational institutions attacked in the country since 2014.

To this end, the Senate has summoned the Ministers of Finance and Education, Wale Edun and Tunji Alausa, to appear before it.

The Senate, through its Ad hoc Committee investigating the collapse of the Safe School Initiative, asked Edun, who is also the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, and Alausa to appear before it on Tuesday next week.

This followed the adoption of its work plan during the maiden meeting held on Wednesday by the ad hoc committee headed by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (APC-Abia).

The newly-appointed Minister of Defence, retired General Christopher Musa; Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr. Mohammed Audi; and representatives of school proprietors were also asked to appear.

Briefing journalists at the inaugural sitting, Kalu vowed that the Senate would unravel all issues surrounding the initiative’s implementation and ensure full accountability.

He noted that over 1,680 schoolchildren have been kidnapped and 180 educational facilities attacked since 2014, describing the situation as “unacceptable” for a nation committed to educational development and child safety.

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He said: “It is unacceptable that our schools remain soft targets for terrorists and kidnappers.

“We will track every naira and every dollar allocated to the Safe School Initiative, some of which were the $30 million mobilised between 2014 and 2021 aside the latest N144 billion released for the initiative by the Federal Government.

“Nigerians deserve to know why, in spite of the enormous investment and global support, our schools remain unsafe.

“The committee will undertake a comprehensive financial and operational audit, engaging federal ministries, state governments, security agencies, and civil society partners.”

The committee, according to him, owes Nigerian parents the responsibility to guarantee that their children can pursue education without fear.

Kalu stressed that the probe was not targeted at any individual or institution, but aimed at strengthening accountability and transparency.

He listed areas of investigation to include utilisation of funds allocated since 2014, deployment and effectiveness of security personnel.

Other areas of investigation are early warning and emergency response systems, infrastructure upgrades in vulnerable schools, and partnerships with international donors and private-sector contributors.

The investigation followed fresh national outrage triggered by the recent abduction of 25 female students from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga in Kebbi State and over 200 others in St. Mary’s Catholic School in Niger State.

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