The National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN) has expressed worry at rising cases of abduction in schools, urging governments to act fast to address the situation.

The Chairman of Board of Trustees of NAPTAN, Mr Adeolu Ogunbanjo,  expressed the worry in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos.

Ogunbanjo said that repeated attacks on school children and teachers across Nigerian communities called for deep concerns.

“Again, gunmen  invaded schools. My heart is bleeding.

“It is sad that they target school children and teachers, kidnapping them in dozens.

“From Chibok  in 2014, Dapchi  in 2018, Kankara in 2020 and Jangebe in 2021, among others, the kidnapping has continued unabated.

“Now, they  invaded schools in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, abducting pupils and teachers in coordinated, terrifying attacks,” he noted.

He said that all the tiers of government must join forces to  secure schools and end the abduction.

“This unpleasant situation needs government action now.

“Schools must be secure  to allow children to learn without fear, and restore public confidence in education safety, ” he said.

Ogunbanjo advised that arrested terrorists should not be released.

According to him, releasing such people  undermines justice and endangers communities as they may not be genuinely repentant.

“Releasing such individuals back into the society creates further risks, as some allegedly continue to provide intelligence to criminal groups,” he said.

Ogunbanjo urged governments to deploy armed  security personnel  to schools to improve safety.