Yobe attack: Expert seeks more security in schools

Security expert, Dr. Ona Ekhomu, has urged the government to tighten security in schools in Yobe, Borno and Adamawa states.

Ekhomu stated this while reacting to the killing of 40 students of the College of Education Gujba, Yobe State, on September 29, a statement said on Tuesday.

He said it was not mere coincidence that the massacre of 40 students in Federal Polytechnic Mubi in Adamawa State occurred on October 1st 2012, while the massacre of 40 students in College of Agriculture Gujba occurred on September 29, 2013.

He described it as “a horrific independence anniversary present from Boko Haram to the nation.”

Ekhomu, who is also the Chairman of the School of Management and Security, said fortifying schools in the affected states was necessary to prevent future terrorist attacks on schools.

He also advised that schools in border states such as Kano, Jigawa, Bauchi, Gombe and Taraba should receive enhanced physical security as displaced Boko Haram terrorists might select them and carry out attacks.

While describing the latest attack as an unacceptable and unfortunate incident carried out by a “bunch of cowards,” Ekhomu urged the government to stop lamenting over the intentional attacks on schools which are “soft targets” by Boko Haram.

He said rather, schools should be strengthened against surprise terrorist attacks by improved physical security measures.

He said, “The government must adopt reliable preventative physical security measures in order to safeguard schools and students.

Such measures are school lockdown protocols, metal doors in dormitories and classrooms, skill drills for students, faculty and staff in reacting to active-shooter/terrorist incident, use of security dogs to patrol and detect imminent terrorist attacks.

“Installation of air raid sirens in schools which may be activated when a school is under attack – to alert the students about the emergency and attract military patrols to the school in distress is also advised.”

Ekhomu, who is also the President of the Association of Industrial Security and Safety Operators of Nigeria, explained that the physical security measures were cost effective and would save precious lives.

He said that when churches were consistently targeted by Boko Haram, the policy response was to strengthen security around churches with concrete bollards, remote parking, use of metal detectors and increased security surveillance.

He said that those measures drastically curtailed the incessant attacks on churches.

He said, “It is my professional opinion that providing layered security measures for schools would deter, delay and deny future BH attacks on schools.”