The rising wave of vandalism and attacks on government schools in Oyo State has sparked outrage among teachers, education stakeholders, and concerned citizens. Reports indicate that hoodlums are turning public schools into soft targets, wreaking havoc on educational infrastructure while leaving teachers and students in a state of perpetual fear.
Sahara Reporters, through its official X handle, broke the news of these alarming developments, detailing how criminals have been invading schools, looting valuables, and dismantling structures with little to no resistance. The situation has raised serious concerns about the safety of students and staff, with calls for immediate government intervention.
A teacher in a densely populated area of Ibadan, Mrs. Omotoni Adedeji (not her real name), shared her harrowing experience.
“Some days before the resumption of the 2024/2025 academic session, I went to my school to prepare but was confronted by miscreants who nearly robbed me in broad daylight. I had to pretend to be making a call to the police to scare them off. That was how I escaped,” she recounted.
She described how the school had become a hunting ground for criminals who had stripped classroom buildings of roofing sheets, leaving two six-block structures exposed to the elements. Another building had its roofing planks removed, accelerating its deterioration.
The school, located in the Oke-Ado area of Ibadan, serves both regular and special-needs students. However, the repeated acts of vandalism have rendered many of its facilities unusable.
A visit to the school revealed its state of disrepair—broken windows, stolen electric cables, and a porous perimeter that allows intruders to enter at will. Despite the presence of a day guard, security remains ineffective.
Mrs. Olanrewaju, another teacher, expressed frustration over the relentless attacks:
“It started as a joke, but within days, we had lost multiple school structures. Teaching and learning have suffered greatly because vital assets like computers and instructional materials, especially those meant for special-needs students, have been carted away.”
A check of the teachers’ staff room, which also doubles as a library, revealed a gaping hole where thieves had forced their way in to steal iron doors, window frames, and other essential school equipment.
“Our school has almost eight open entrances due to the dilapidated perimeter fence. Thieves from the neighborhood have made away with most of the materials meant for our school buildings,” Olanrewaju lamented.
She further noted that the lack of a night security guard made the school vulnerable to frequent break-ins.
“If the government insists on hiring just one night guard, the problem will persist. We need adequate security personnel both day and night to deter these criminals,” she stressed.
The crisis extends beyond Oke-Ado. Reports from primary schools in the Oniyanrin and Aresa areas indicate similar patterns of destruction. Aside from the infrastructural damage, teachers—particularly female staff—face constant threats from miscreants loitering around school premises.
In response, the Oyo State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Salihu Adelabu, acknowledged the problem but emphasized ongoing efforts to improve infrastructure.
“We are doing our best in terms of school infrastructure. Model schools are being built, and UBEC interventions are playing a key role in addressing these challenges,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dr. Nureni Adeniran, Executive Chairman of the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), revealed that Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration had disbursed N2.5 billion as a counterpart fund for the 2022 and 2023 UBEC/SUBEB intervention projects. The funds, he said, were aimed at ensuring uninterrupted infrastructural development in primary and junior secondary schools.
The Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Mr. Raji Oladimeji, described the crisis as a ticking time bomb.
“Schools are now prime targets for criminals. The theft of instructional materials, computers, and even statutory records is a daily occurrence,” he lamented.
He confirmed that three cases had already been reported to the police, resulting in the arrest and prosecution of suspects.
“There was a case in the Molete axis where an entire public school was ransacked. We reported it to the Orita Challenge police station, and the DPO ensured some arrests were made. The suspects are currently facing trial,” Oladimeji disclosed.
In a bid to curb the menace, he said the union had engaged the state government and local community leaders to devise protective measures.
“We have met with the Parent-Teacher Forum (PTF) in some of the affected areas to explore ways of fortifying security in schools,” he added.
Furthermore, Oladimeji disclosed that 2,500 day guards had been recruited as part of the state’s recent employment drive for non-teaching staff. These guards, he assured, would soon be deployed to schools across the state.
To enhance security, the NUT has also partnered with local security agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Western Nigeria Security Network, known as Amotekun.
Beyond short-term security measures, education experts argue that a long-term strategy is needed to protect public schools.
Mr. Yemi Osanyin, an education advocate, called on the Oyo State government to develop a comprehensive Education Sector Plan that prioritizes safety and infrastructure development.
“We need a well-structured document that addresses school security and infrastructure with inclusivity and accessibility at its core,” he emphasized.
The growing wave of vandalism in Oyo’s schools paints a grim picture of the state’s educational sector. If urgent action is not taken, the future of thousands of students may be jeopardized. Stakeholders agree: securing schools is not just an option—it is a necessity.
PIONEER NEWS 