By Despan Kwardem
The recent resurgence of school abductions in Nigeria—first in Zamfara and reportedly again in Niger State—signals a dangerous escalation by terror groups. These attacks, occurring within weeks of each other, are not isolated incidents; they represent a clear and present danger to all boarding schools across the country.
Plateau State must recognize this threat as a national security warning and take proactive steps to protect its children.
This is not the time for symbolic sympathy or routine condemnations. It is the time for strategic activation, heightened surveillance, and decisive action. Our schools, especially those located in vulnerable and semi-rural areas, could easily become targets if the State does not move swiftly.
*WHY PLATEAU STATE MUST ACT NOW*
With several boarding schools situated in communities near forest belts, poorly governed spaces, and border areas, Plateau is not immune to these threats. Terror groups often exploit bush paths, unmonitored terrains, and lax security architecture to conduct rapid operations. The evolving terror landscape—further emboldened by geopolitical rhetoric and extremist propaganda—demands immediate action.
*CALL TO ACTION: STRATEGIES PLATEAU STATE MUST ACTIVATE*
1. *Strengthen Security Presence in Vulnerable Boarding Schools*
– Deploy armed security personnel to all boarding schools in high-risk LGAs.
– Install perimeter fencing, solar-powered lights, CCTV cameras, and early-warning alarm systems.
– Conduct routine night patrols within and around school premises.
– Establish rapid response units stationed within a 10–15 km radius of identified vulnerable schools.
2. *Clear and Dominate Strategic Bushes and Ungoverned Spaces*
– Launch state-wide bush-clearing operations around schools, communities, and major access routes.
– Map all forest corridors and ungoverned spaces, especially around borders with Bauchi, Nasarawa, Kaduna, and Taraba. I suppose this has long been done.
– Deploy drones and community intelligence scouts to monitor suspicious movements in these areas.
3. *Strengthen Community Intelligence and Local Vigilance*
– Mobilize district heads, village chiefs, and community leaders to activate local intelligence networks.
– Encourage communities to report strange inbound or outbound movements—vehicles, unfamiliar persons, or clustered motorbike traffic.
– Provide toll-free emergency hotlines for real-time reporting.
– Support trained and regulated local vigilante groups to complement security agencies.
4. *Establish Community-Based Early Warning Systems*
– Where formal vigilante structures do not exist, communities should immediately form Emergency Watcher Groups trained to provide real-time alerts.
– Develop a simple information-sharing protocol between watchers, traditional rulers, school authorities, and security agencies.
– Integrate local, churches, community and market associations into early-warning dissemination channels.
5. *Intensify Border and Inter-State Security Coordination*
– Strengthen collaboration with security agencies in neighbouring states.
– Conduct joint border patrols to deny terrorists mobility across state lines.
– Identify and block informal routes used by criminals.
6. *Proactive Government Engagement and Public Communication*
– Issue a state-wide security advisory urging heightened vigilance.
– Conduct security audits of all boarding schools within two weeks.
– Brief parents, school administrators, and local communities on preventive measures.
– Ensure transparent communication that builds trust without causing panic.
7. *Contextual Awareness: Responding to Heightened Terror Activity*
– Recent international rhetoric and extremist propaganda have emboldened terror groups seeking visibility and relevance. This means Plateau State must not treat national security alerts as distant events. The threat is real, the timing is deliberate, and complacency is costly.
*CONCLUSION: THE STATE MUST NOT BE CAUGHT UNAWARES*
The safety of Plateau’s students cannot be left to chance. Every kidnapping is not just an attack on families—it is an attack on the State’s stability, its economy, and its future. Today’s security vacuum is tomorrow’s tragedy. Plateau State has the structures, institutions, and community spirit to prevent such horrors, but only if it moves now.
This is the moment for decisive leadership, coordinated action, and community vigilance. Plateau must fortify its schools before terror groups attempt to strike again.
#God Bless our dear #Plateau State
God Bless the #State Government
God Bless Gov #Caleb Mutfwang with the wisdom, will and resources to succeed.
