The Vice Chancellor of Abdulrasaq Abubakar Toyin University, Ilorin, Prof. Abdulrauf Ambali has canvassed for urgent geographical mapping of the nation’s forests, thick bushlands and rugged terrains being used as hideouts by suspected criminals.
At the 2026 quadrennial delegates’ conference of the Kwara State chapter of the Nigeria Union Teachers (NUT) on Monday in Ilorin, the state capital, the educationist said that the measure would allow the nation’s schools to be safe for academic learning.
Ambali said that criminals have turned forests, bushlands and other rugged terrains into hideouts from where they launch attacks to perpetrate their nefarious activities in the country.
‘We cannot talk about school insecurity without acknowledging the role of geography, because the forests, thick bushlands, and rugged terrains give criminals a distinct advantage.
‘These areas provide natural concealment, making it difficult for security agencies to locate and apprehend offenders.
‘They also allow cross-state mobility, so perpetrators can strike in one area and disappear into another before anyone can respond’, he said.
The guest speaker added that ‘forest corridors in Zamfara, Kaduna, Niger, and Kebbi States, are frequently used as operational hideouts.
Ambali said: ‘Even rural Kwara faces similar challenges near forest reserves, where security coverage is sparse.
‘This is why relying solely on police raids is not enough: the environment itself needs development and surveillance
‘Also, look at the evidence from Kaduna and Niger states. After some of the kidnappings there, investigations revealed that attackers consistently retreated into forested zones.
‘These are not isolated cases either, similar patterns have been observed in parts of Kwara and across North-Central Nigeria.
‘These areas become operational hideouts precisely because the terrain favours the criminals and security forces are limited in their reach’.
He added that this simply means deploying personnel isn’t enough and effective solutions require mapping these terrains, integrating local intelligence, and conducting targeted patrols.
‘Understanding the geography isn’t just academic, it’s critical for designing interventions that actually work’, he said
The state chairman of the NUT, Comrade Yusuf Wahab Agboola, said that the conference was convened to review the union’s activities and discuss key issues affecting teachers and the education sector.
Agboola highlighted several achievements recorded through collaboration with the state government, including the payment of long-standing salary arrears, implementation of teachers’ allowances, approval of teachers’ promotions, and regular payment of salaries.
He also noted that the implementation of the national minimum wage and other welfare measures had improved teachers’ conditions of service in the state.
The NUT chairman further acknowledged the support of the state government in improving facilities at the union’s secretariat and strengthening the welfare of teachers.
Agboola urged teachers to remain committed to their responsibilities while working collectively to safeguard the future of education.
