Troops deployed in schools to stop Boko Haram attack

Troops have been deployed in Government College, Maiduguri, following a threat by Boko Haram members.
It is apparently to prevent another massacre of pupils like the one in Yobe where no fewer than 22 were killed.
In Yobe, there is a heavy security build-up to ward off insurgents.
The Defence Headquarters yesterday fingered Boko Haram as the mastermind of the murder of the Yobe pupils, amid reports that the sect denied responsibility for the gruesome action.
Defence Headquarters spokesman Brig-Gen. Chris Olukolade said “Even if they are denying it, Boko Haram members are those in a marauding group doing such a thing.
“The manner in which the students were killed conforms to the pattern of their operation.”
UNICEF and Amnesty International demanded the arrest of the perpetrators of the Yobe massacre and protection of pupils.
According to a top security source, the Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ibrahim Ola Sa’ad, has directed the Joint Task Force (JTF) to protect the Government College in Maiduguri, following the receipt of threat letters from insurgents.
The source said: “As I am talking to you, JTF has moved near the school and placed it on surveillance. The school got a series of threat letters, asking students and teachers to leave because western education amounts to nothing. But our troops are up to the task.
“Also, the CDS has directed that even schools without threats from Boko Haram should be heavily protected in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe.
“We will certainly secure all the schools in the flashpoints.”
As at press time, it was gathered that the CDS has ordered a fresh security build-up in Yobe.
Another source said: “The fresh deployment is just a move around type. The main concern is to continue the chase against those behind the killing of these innocent 29 students.”
The state government and indigenes have demanded restoration of GSM service to allow them to assist security agencies.
The two agencies yesterday demanded the arrest of the perpetrators of the Yobe massacre and protection of school children.
UNICEF, through its Regional Director for West and Central Africa, Manuel Fontaine, said: “The deaths of students in yet another attack on a school in northeast Nigeria should be condemned absolutely by all communities,
“As we extend our sympathy to the families of the victims, we would say in the strongest possible terms that there can be no justification for the deliberate targeting of children and those looking after them.
“UNICEF is calling for those responsible to be brought to justice and for communities to demand that schools be considered as places of safety.
“Since June 16th, it is reported that a total of 48 students and seven teachers have been killed in four attacks in the region.”
Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for Africa, Lucy Freeman, said: “The Nigerian government must act to prevent attacks on schools to protect children’s lives and their right to education.
“The protection of children’s lives is paramount, and the Nigerian government has a duty to ensure that the country’s educational sector is not further threatened by the killing and intimidation of students and teachers and the destruction of school buildings.”
“It is not yet known who is responsible for the attack although the group Boko Haram has claimed responsibility for several attacks on schools in the past.
“Such attacks violate the right to life and undermine the right to education for thousands of children in northern Nigeria. They must stop immediately,” said Lucy Freeman.
“The Nigerian authorities must investigate these attacks and bring those responsible to justice in fair trials without recourse to the death penalty.”
“According to information received by Amnesty International, dozens of children who fled to the bush after Saturday’s attack are still unaccounted for.