THE killing of many innocent children in the recent terrorist attacks in Plateau State is as traumatic as it is condemnable. Though children and women are the most vulnerable in any conflict situation, making them specific targets of attacks as has happened in Nigeria in recent times is inhuman, senseless and cowardly. Obviously, terrorists know that an attack on children or students would inflict immense emotional damage.
At its National Executive Council meeting in Abuja recently, the Association of Primary School Head Teachers of Nigeria expressed concern over the threats posed to public schools by the Boko Haram terrorist group. As the National President of the association, Lawal Mahmud, put it, “We want the Federal Government to take proactive steps concerning this insecurity threat because it’s already telling on the educational well-being of the country. Our pupils no longer feel safe in their learning environment.” Indeed, the situation calls for eternal vigilance on the part of parents, teachers and different arms of government.
Over the past few years, terrorists have struck brutally and callously in several northern states, with children as main casualties. A few examples of recent attacks on children will bring the problem home to Nigerians. Some two weeks ago, gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen invaded villages in Barkin Ladi and Riyom Local Government Areas of Plateau State. By the time the hoodlums finished their evil assignment, over 100 people had died. Many of the victims were children.
Recently too, some deranged minds fired a rocket-propelled grenade at Nurul Islam School in Jos, the Plateau State capital, killing a 10-year-old boy. Luckily, many of the pupils missed death by a whisker because the rocket missed target and reportedly hit a nearby building. At the time of this strike, pupils were sitting for their examinations and would have perished in their numbers.
Also last week, there were reports that bombers had targeted St. Alloysius Catholic School in Abuja. Happily, the bomb was discovered before any harm could be done. It was found under a mango tree where pupils usually congregate to buy snacks after school. Yet, many schools remain easy targets due to their accessibility, vulnerability and prominence in the community.
Being too young and weak, children are usually the last to escape from any attack. The first natural instinct is for adults to run when danger looms, leaving children to the whims of the invaders. As has been shown in the recent attacks in some parts of the North, these hoodlums not only slaughter children like rams, they also allegedly butcher pregnant women, in some instances, ripping open their wombs and killing their foetuses as well. How beastly can some people be!
That some terrorists even do this in the name of God indicates a highpoint of ignorance and backwardness. While other nations are fast-forwarding their movement to the moon, we are fast reversing to Stone Age atavism.
We have made ourselves a laughing stock in the comity of nations. Or what sane country will take any nation that slaughters her future leaders like rams seriously? The trauma this form of extreme violence leaves in the psyche of children is unimaginable. It follows them up to their adulthood and can affect the way they relate with people all through their lifetime.
This is partly why, even in war situations, women and children are spared from any form of attack. International conventions and laws make this more explicit. The United Nations Charter on Human Rights and Nigeria’s Child Rights Act guarantee children adequate protection from any form of abuse. But hoodlums do not have any regard for conventions and laws.
This is where government comes in. The primary duty of government is to protect lives and property. It should therefore direct law enforcement agencies to give adequate protection to children. It may not be possible for the police, for instance, to be in every school or to monitor the movement of every child, but this is where intelligence gathering plays a key role. State Security Service personnel have a lot of work to do in this circumstance. They should intensify their efforts in monitoring the plans and movements of terrorists with a view to nipping their plots in the bud.
Institutions, especially primary and secondary schools, should be more security conscious. Primary school teachers have become more conscious of this fact. While waiting on the government to do something, schools on their own should take proactive measures, too. They could engage the services of private security outfits to keep guard within the school premises. The security men may not stop suicide bombers who break into compounds and buildings with force, but they can stop those who come stealthily to plant bombs at strategic locations.
Terrorism, and the stress associated with terror alerts, can have devastating effects on children and families. Teachers and parents can also help by teaching their children how to be security conscious. The simple safety concept of “If You See Something, Say Something” should be popularised in schools and colleges. They should be urged to report any suspicious movements, especially of an adult carrying bags or suspicious objects, around their vicinity. Those who can afford it should also leave a telephone line at home for children to easily contact adults when they are in danger. The lives of our children are too precious to be toyed with.
More Stories in Editorial
