Nigeria’s Ambassador-designate to Mexico and former presidential aide, , has said it is unrealistic to expect the Federal Government to provide security for every school across the country.
Reacting to the recent abduction of schoolchildren in Ogbomosho, Oyo State, Omokri stated that Nigeria’s security challenges should be viewed within the broader context of rising insecurity across the Sahel region. He urged Nigerians to focus on practical solutions rather than directing blame at the Federal Government whenever such incidents occur.
In a statement shared on his X account on Saturday, Omokri argued that criticism aimed at President , his administration, and supporters over incidents like the Ogbomosho kidnapping only fuels division and weakens national unity.
According to him, terrorists thrive in environments where citizens are divided and distracted from finding lasting solutions to insecurity. He warned that some individuals exploit national crises to deepen tensions and promote disunity.
Omokri noted that Nigeria has about 300,000 schools but fewer than 300,000 soldiers, making it impossible for federal security agencies to guard every educational institution in the country. He said this reality underscores the need for the establishment of state police.
He called on state governors to take greater responsibility for securing schools and strengthening local security structures rather than placing the burden solely on the Federal Government.
The former presidential aide also highlighted the success of community-based security initiatives in Lagos State, describing them as effective models for grassroots policing and intelligence gathering. According to him, such efforts have contributed to improved security in the state.
Omokri maintained that the safety of schools largely falls under the jurisdiction of state governments and urged governors to support ongoing efforts to establish state police as a long-term solution to insecurity.
He further argued that increased federal allocations to states and local governments have improved their financial capacity to address security concerns, adding that inadequate funding should no longer be used as an excuse.
The ambassador-designate also stressed the importance of community participation in security efforts, noting that law enforcement agencies depend heavily on local intelligence to prevent criminal activities.
He encouraged residents to promptly report suspicious movements and activities through available emergency channels, emphasizing that timely information remains critical to preventing attacks.
“Nigeria has approximately 300,000 schools and fewer than 300,000 soldiers. It is not practicable for the Federal Government to guard every school in Nigeria,” Omokri said.
He added that only state police can effectively secure schools across the country and urged governors to support the Tinubu administration’s state policing initiative. “Rather than criticise President Bola Tinubu over the Ogbomosho abduction, ask your governor to get on board with the State Police initiative,” he said.
