A member of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewumi Adeyemi, has said the abduction of 25 schoolgirls in Kebbi State underscores the need for an urgent review of the country’s security strategy.

The PUNCH reported that terrorists carried out an early-morning attack on Government Girls’ Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in the Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area on Monday, abducting 25 students and killing a staff member.

According to the report, the attackers, armed with sophisticated weapons, stormed the school around 4:00 a.m. and opened fire as they gained entry.

Reacting to the incident on Wednesday in a statement, the lawmaker said the attack highlighted persistent weaknesses in intelligence gathering, preventive security measures, and coordination among agencies responsible for protecting vulnerable communities.

He said, “There are moments when a nation must pause and ask itself hard questions. This is one of those moments. The abduction of twenty-five schoolgirls in Kebbi State is another painful reminder of how fragile the safety of the Nigerian child has become.

“Schools, which should be the safest places for learning and growth, are once again violated by gunmen who operate with troubling ease. Families are grieving, communities are traumatised, and a nation is left wondering when this cycle will finally end.

“These incidents point to a deeper structural problem. We are dealing with intelligence gaps, weak preventive systems, slow response capacity, poor coordination among security agencies, and a chain of command that is often blurred. Nigeria cannot continue this way. A country where children are unsafe and officers are vulnerable is a country in urgent need of a strategic overhaul.”

According to him, the repeated targeting of schoolchildren, alongside threats to security personnel, indicates structural problems within Nigeria’s security system, including slow response capacity and unclear operational command lines.

He called for a strategic overhaul focused on strengthening internal security systems, equipping agencies with better tools, and establishing clearer mandates to improve operational effectiveness.

“When a nation cannot firmly secure its people, it unintentionally invites pressure from outside. Solving these life-threatening issues is the only way to safeguard our sovereignty. We must strengthen our internal systems before external forces begin to define our direction.

“Our security agencies need better tools, clearer mandates, and stronger support. Our schools need fortified safety structures. Our communities need early warning systems. And our political leadership at every level must prioritise the lives and welfare of the people above every other consideration,” he added.

Adeyemi also urged the government to prioritise school safety and develop early-warning mechanisms within communities. (PUNCH)