“Our Children are not Safe”: Vulnerability of Secondary School Students to School Attacks and Mass Abduction in Katsina State,Nigeria

Abstract

School attack and mass abduction of students have become serious concerns in Nigeria. This study, therefore, investigated the abduction risk vulnerability of secondary schools in Katsina State, Nigeria. The research was exploratory as it involved the use of qualitative methods to obtain data from community leaders, community members, principals and teachers of selected secondary schools, as well as state and local government officials. The Routine Activity Theory provided the theoretical anchor for the study. The results revealed that schools in Katsina State are very vulnerable to attacks and abductions by bandits. Lack of physical barriers, in the form of perimeter fences, and inadequate number of security operative were identified as responsible for such vulnerability. School attacks were also considered very severe. While noting the benefits of current government efforts, all the stakeholders agreed that more still need to be done to ensure school safety in Katsina State.

Plain Language Summary

Study on why Secondary schools are prone to attacks and students are kidnaped in Katsina State, Nigeria

Kidnapping of School students has become a regular problem in Nigeria. Many schools have been attacked and many students kidnaped especially in Northern Nigeria. To prevent the problem from further occurring, information on why schools are so exposed to attacks is very important. In this paper, we provided explanations on the reasons for this. To collect information, we discussed with people from some communities in Katsina State. The people we spoke to were leaders of communities, people who live in those communities, principals and teachers of secondary schools, and government workers. After collecting information, we found that the attacks were always very serious and that schools have no fence and do not have security men to protect the schools and students from attacks. We also noted that although government has taken some actions with respect to increasing security presence in schools, the communities need to be further engaged to make schools safe for learning. The communities can help particularly in the provision of local vigilantes to complement the efforts of government.