by Tosin Adesina

The Lagos State government under the leadership of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has set an unrivalled record in security investment within a space of two years. Billions of Naira has been expended and is still being spent on procuring security gadgets and equipment including vehicles, Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) and gun boats for the protection of the Lagos coast line and total maritime security.

However, the state of security in Lagos public schools is at its lowest ebb at the moment. Private schools are known to have security operatives from licensed Private security outfits as their gatemen and internal security personnel, some are also known to attach security officers to their school buses when chauffeuring the students from their homes to schools and vice versa. In addition, some private schools have standby mobile Police officers on duty all in a bid to protect their students from harm.

The reverse is, however, the case in Lagos Public schools as most schools don’t even have security officers at the school gate not to talk of internal security officers inside the school compound. The schools are so porous that people have access to their sports field any day, anytime without questioning from the necessary quarters.

The infiltration of these schools by strangers is what has led to the continuous attacks and the state government should take the needed security measures. After the Igbonla students were kidnapped, some faceless kidnappers also sent a threat letter to another school to intimate them that they were on their radar but the threat was thwarted by the security agencies.

The Lagos State government is implored to up their ante in providing a continuous security system to its Lagos public schools so as to complement the huge investment being made in the sector by the government.

The security of public schools in Lagos should receive total attention from the government so as to prevent a recurrence of the ugly occurrence in other to guarantee our kids the needed security to enhance the effective learning process.

Editor