GTI advocates community intelligence network to protect Nigerian schools 

By Admin

Guard Time Information (GTI), Human Rights Activists Nationwide, has called for the establishment of a stronger community intelligence network around schools across Nigeria to enable early detection and reporting of security threats and protect students, teachers and other members of the school community.

The organisation said growing security concerns around educational institutions require a shift from a largely reactive approach to one that places greater emphasis on community vigilance, timely information-sharing and rapid response by relevant security agencies.

Chairman of GTI, Comrade Bibi Oduku, made the call in Abuja on Monday, stressing that the safety of schools could not be left entirely to security agencies without active participation from parents, teachers, community leaders and residents.

According to him, people living and working around schools are often in the best position to notice unusual movements, suspicious activities or emerging threats before they develop into major security incidents.

He urged schools and communities to establish effective channels through which credible information could be communicated promptly to the appropriate security authorities.

The initiative is particularly important in the face of threats from kidnappers, armed criminals and other groups whose activities could endanger students and teachers, disrupt academic activities and undermine confidence in the education system.

Oduku disclosed that GTI is partnering with the National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN) to promote security awareness and vigilance among teachers and other stakeholders in schools across the country.

Under the proposed collaboration, the organisations intend to support nationwide training and awareness programmes aimed at improving the ability of school communities to identify potential threats and respond appropriately.

The programmes are expected to focus on security awareness, early threat identification, responsible information sharing, emergency communication and appropriate engagement with law-enforcement and security agencies.

Oduku explained that the objective was not to turn teachers, parents or community members into security operatives, but to equip them with the awareness needed to recognise warning signs and ensure that credible information reaches those legally responsible for responding to threats.

He said the proposed community intelligence network would strengthen the connection between schools, surrounding communities and statutory security institutions, thereby creating a more responsive security environment.

The initiative, he added, could also improve communication during emergencies by ensuring that schools have established contacts and procedures for seeking assistance when necessary.

GTI further advocated collaboration with community-based security-support structures, including the Civilian Joint Task Force, vigilante groups, Nigeria Forest Guards and other legally recognised initiatives, where appropriate and within the law.

Oduku stressed that such structures should complement, rather than replace, the responsibilities of the Nigeria Police Force, the Armed Forces and other statutory security agencies.

He also cautioned against the misuse of community intelligence or the targeting of individuals based on rumours, suspicion or unverified allegations.

According to him, responsible intelligence sharing must be based on credible information and communicated through appropriate channels to avoid misinformation, vigilantism and unnecessary violations of citizens’ rights.

“Security is a collective responsibility. Every citizen has a role to play by remaining vigilant, sharing credible information responsibly and supporting the government and security agencies in protecting our communities, schools, students and teachers,” he said.

The GTI chairman urged traditional and community leaders to play a greater role in creating security-conscious communities around educational institutions.

He also called on parents and school administrators to maintain regular communication with relevant security authorities and review their emergency procedures to ensure that concerns can be reported without delay.

For the organisation, the protection of schools requires more than physical security infrastructure. It also requires an environment in which students, teachers, parents and surrounding communities understand their roles in preventing and reporting threats.

GTI therefore called on government agencies, school proprietors, teachers’ organisations, parent associations, traditional institutions, civil society groups and community security stakeholders to work together in developing practical and coordinated school-safety mechanisms.

The organisation reaffirmed its commitment to promoting human rights, community safety, security awareness and peaceful educational environments across Nigeria.

It said protecting schools from criminal attacks was ultimately about more than safeguarding buildings and property, as every disruption to education carries wider consequences for children, families and the country’s human-capital development.

GTI urged stakeholders to make school safety a shared priority and build stronger links between communities and security institutions so that threats can be identified, reported and addressed before they escalate.