Public Schools In Lagos Warned On Boko Haram Attacks

In a bid to forestall the bomb explosion that happened in Apapa on 25 June, 2015, the Lagos State Government has issued a first-line order to all the head teachers and principals in the state’s public schools on how to prevent terror attacks.

This latest security measures were taken by the Lagos state government is coming less than 24 hours after Boko Haram terrorists have claimed responsibility for the two explosions that occurred at a fuel depot in Apapa, Lagos, western Nigeria.

Lagos state’s Head of Service, Mrs. Josephine Williams and Special Adviser on Education, Mr. Fatai Olukoga, revealed the new measures at an interactive session with the head teachers and principals of primary and secondary schools held at the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) pavilion in Alausa on Monday, 14 July, 2014.

Speaking at the event, Williams expressed the state government’s grave concerns over the security of pupils and students in their schools, noting that everything should be done “to prevent security breaches in public schools.

* Lagos Sstate Governor, Babatunde Fashola

She also urged the school managers in the state to be vigilant and security conscious, which she said, had become imperative due to the prevailing security challenges being experienced in some parts of the country.

Williams added: “To be security-conscious was not informed by any imminent security breaches in the state but the need for people to be security-conscious at this particular time in the nation’s development cannot be over emphasised.

“It is imperative for everybody to learn from the experience of what is happening in other states so that such will not happen in this state. The managers of the state’s public schools should continue to inform the pupils and students to be more conscious of what happens within their surroundings.”

She urged the school managers to always educate their pupils and students not “to pick what does not belong to them and whenever they observe any strange item, they should report same appropriately.”

* Leader of Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau

The head of service implored public schools managers to educate their staff members and even food vendors on the need for safety and security-consciousness. 

While making his own speech, Olukoga stated that the lives of the students “are entrusted into the care of the school managers from the time they assembled in the schools in the morning till afternoon when schools close for the day.

The special adviser also advised the school managers not “to allow any strange person or occurrences happen within their school without challenging such a person and at the same time reporting such activity to the appropriate security agency that are better trained and equipped to handle such an occurrence.

 * Scene of a bomb blast in Apapa, Lagos

“I wish to specifically charge principals of boarding schools not to release their students to anybody who is unknown to them and the child, even the drivers except their parents. The managers of public schools should always be conscious of the next person beside you. Government is concerned about our safety, security and the general well being of every Lagos residents."

It could be recalled that no fewer than four people were reported to have lost their lives in the bomb blast that occurred at the ever-busy Creek Road, Apapa, Lagos.

According to reports, the blast occurred close to Folawiyo fuel depot in the night of June 25, 2014, Wednesday at about 8.30pm with at least four buildings, including two banks, were damaged by the explosion.

Source: Legit.ng