Fresh fears over the safety of schoolchildren overshadowed the nationwide ward primaries of Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on Saturday as several schools remained shut and parents kept children at home following recent mass abductions in parts of the country.
The political exercise, which witnessed strong mobilisation for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu across many states, took place amid growing public anxiety over worsening insecurity, particularly attacks targeting schools and pupils.
In Oyo State, tension has continued to grip communities in Oriire Local Government Area after armed attackers abducted dozens of pupils and teachers during coordinated raids on schools in Esinele, Yamota and Alawusa communities on May 15.
The attacks forced the immediate closure of several schools in the affected areas, while many parents reportedly withdrew their children from classrooms over fears of fresh invasions by gunmen.
The Oyo State Government had earlier ordered the suspension of school excursions, field trips, inter-school competitions and other external academic activities across the state as part of emergency security measures following the kidnappings.
Findings indicated that the victims included children between the ages of two and 16, alongside teachers, with one of the abducted teachers later confirmed killed by the attackers.
The situation has thrown education activities in the affected communities into uncertainty, as many schools now operate under fear while others remain deserted.
Similar concerns have also emerged in parts of Borno State, where reports indicated that dozens of schoolchildren remain missing amid renewed attacks and insecurity affecting vulnerable communities.
Despite the security crisis, APC members trooped out across the country for the ward primaries, with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reportedly recording overwhelming support in many wards, including a near-unanimous victory in the ward of Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum.
The development, however, triggered criticism from several Nigerians and civil society voices who questioned the focus on political activities at a time when many families are battling trauma, displacement and uncertainty over abducted children.
Human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, criticised continued political celebrations amid the insecurity situation, asking why citizens continued to support what he described as a government struggling to protect lives and schools.
Education stakeholders also warned that the growing wave of attacks on schools could deepen learning disruptions, increase absenteeism and worsen the number of out-of-school children across affected regions.
The latest incidents have once again revived memories of previous mass school attacks in Nigeria, including the 2014 abduction of schoolgirls in Chibok, which attracted global outrage and drew attention to the vulnerability of schools in conflict-prone communities.
As security agencies continue rescue operations in Oyo and other affected areas, many parents say fear has now replaced confidence in the safety of schools, with uncertainty continuing to hang over education activities in several communities.
