Security Challenges of Attacks on Schools in Nigeria: The Role of School Administrators, Staff, Parents and Students

Abstract

This paper discussed the security challenges of targeted attacks on schools in Nigeria by non-state armed, terrorist or criminal’s groups. The discourse was for the purpose of understanding the factors contributing to the frequent attacks while also distinguishing the roles and responsibilities of critical stakeholders in the educational system. The paper employed a desk-review qualitative research methodology with the use of secondary sources of data. Data was analyzed through content analysis. The paper found that the pre-dispositional factors contributing to the attacks directed on schools are linked to the emergence of domestic terrorism and concluded that school administrators, staff, parents and students have critical roles to play in supporting safe school initiative. The paper therefore recommended that all critical stakeholders must commit their resources together and establish an effective working relationship for the purpose of promoting safe school in collaboration with public law enforcement agencies. This will go a long way in addressing the security challenges of schools attacked by the Boko Haram insurgent group and other armed criminal groups.