A civil society organization, the Citizens for Secure Nation (CSN), has accused the African Democratic Congress (ADC) of using recent school attacks in Kebbi and Niger states to score political points. The group made the allegation in a statement issued on Thursday in Kaduna, warning that politicising insecurity could undermine efforts to protect citizens and restore stability in the country.
The controversy follows a statement issued by the ADC on Wednesday, in which the party criticised the Federal Government over the closure of 44 unity colleges. The schools were shut down by the Ministry of Education after fresh reports of student abductions in parts of the North-West. The ADC argued that the closures showed a failure of leadership and a lack of preparedness to secure learning environments.
But the CSN disagreed strongly, saying the ADC was exploiting a national tragedy for political gain instead of offering solutions that could help improve security across the country.
In the statement signed by its President, Musa Maikawa, the CSN said the ADC’s comments were intended to stir public emotions and weaken confidence in the government and security forces.
“We cannot allow a political party to weaponise the pain of grieving families for narrow advantage,” Maikawa said. He explained that the rising cases of school abductions have caused fear and trauma for many families, and any political group seeking to benefit from such tragedies is acting irresponsibly.
Maikawa added that the ADC’s claims were unsubstantiated, especially the suggestion that security agencies were failing or collaborating with criminals. According to him, these types of accusations damage public trust at a time when the efforts of security agencies rely heavily on community cooperation and accurate information from residents.
“There is no justification for painting security forces as collaborators with terrorists. Such rhetoric is dangerous and fuels suspicion at a time when public cooperation is essential,” he said.
Nigeria has faced increasing attacks on schools since the 2014 abduction of 276 schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State, by Boko Haram. That incident sparked global outrage and drew attention to the vulnerability of schools, especially in rural areas. Since then, criminal gangs and bandits operating mainly in the North-West and North-Central regions have targeted schools for mass abductions.
States such as Katsina, Zamfara, Kaduna, Niger, and Kebbi have seen repeated attacks on boarding schools and higher institutions, often forcing temporary closures and disrupting academic activities. The Federal Government has repeatedly said that the safety of students is a top priority, but the persistence of attacks has led to criticism from opposition parties and civil society groups.
It was in this context that the Ministry of Education closed 44 unity colleges after security assessments showed that some of the schools were at high risk of attacks. While some groups welcomed the move as necessary for student safety, others—including the ADC—said the closures indicated failure.
But the CSN said the decision to shut down the affected schools was based on intelligence and professional security recommendations, not political panic. Maikawa explained that closing schools temporarily is sometimes the safest option when credible threats exist.
“The temporary closure of schools in affected areas was based on security assessments and intended to protect students,” he said. “No responsible government will leave children exposed when there is evidence of danger.”
He added that instead of criticizing the closures, political parties should focus on promoting unity and supporting the security agencies working to contain the violence.
The CSN president urged the ADC and other political actors to show restraint and responsibility when speaking about national security. According to him, the fight against violent groups requires cooperation across political divides, and leaders must avoid statements that could spread fear or weaken morale among security personnel.
“At a time when our country is dealing with serious security challenges, we need unity, careful communication, and responsible leadership,” Maikawa said. “National security is not a campaign tool.”
He said Nigerians should expect thoughtful policy suggestions from political parties, not statements that create division or panic.
Maikawa encouraged the ADC and other opposition parties to engage government constructively by suggesting workable security strategies instead of “making sweeping statements that do not help victims or communities.” He noted that civil society organisations, community leaders, religious groups, and political parties all have roles to play in improving safety nationwide.
He said the CSN is open to working with any group that wants to contribute meaningfully to peacebuilding and security reforms, adding that Nigeria’s insecurity problems require long-term commitments rather than political point-scoring.
Parents in the affected states have repeatedly called for stronger measures to protect schools, including fencing of facilities, deployment of security personnel, and community-based early warning systems. Many students have been forced to relocate, interrupting their education, while others remain traumatised by past attacks.
