Establish school safety task force – Ex-Army chief Buratai tells Nigerian Govt

A former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, has called on the Federal Government to establish a schools safety task force in the country.

ln a keynote address at the 2025 International Hybrid Conference organized by the Faculty of Education, Federal University Gusau, Zamfara State, Buratai stated that the school safety task force should include military, police and community leaders.

Represented by Brigadier General MK Galadanchi (rtd), Buratai said, “By establishing the school safety task force, it can provide tailored security solutions to high risk areas.”

He also suggested that the use of surveillance technology, including drones, to monitor vulnerable school zones and prevent attacks.

According to him, education is a fundamental human right and critical driver of national development, and if it is not protected, the future of the nation will be jeopardized.

He noted that if Nigerians rise to the challenge through innovation, collaboration and unwavering commitment, every child can have access to safe, equitable and quality education.

Buratai lamented that a demographic survey conducted by UNICEF in 2024 indicated that girls make up 60 percent of the 10 million out of school children in the country.

He added that attention must be given to children with disability, who face compounded challenges in accessing education.