• Following the Oyo school abductions and the eventual rescue of all victims, parents nationwide are rethinking how they handle school runs
• Here are practical steps parents can take to reduce security risks during the daily school run and better protect their children
• The article also pushes for community-level accountability, urging parents to pressure schools and local vigilante groups into visible action, not just prayer

Two months. That's how long some Oyo families waited to hug their children again. If that number doesn't scatter your body, check your pulse.

On May 15, 2026, gunmen stormed three schools in Oriire LGA, Oyo State, and rode off with dozens of children, some as young as two.

A teacher was beheaded on camera days later. The whole country watched, prayed, and asked one uncomfortable question: if it happened in Oyo, quiet, "safe" Oyo, who's actually safe?

The good news is that 44 people were rescued out of the 46 people that were kidnapped. The harder truth is that the rescue is not prevention. And for the millions of parents who drop their kids off every weekday morning without a second thought, this is the wake-up call nobody wanted but everybody needed.

So let's talk about the school run and how to make it safer.

School run safety tips for Nigerian parents

1. Stop being predictable

Criminals don't attack randomly. They watch patterns.

Same route, same time, same driver, same everything, that's not discipline, that's a blueprint you're handing to whoever is watching. Vary your route when you can, even slightly.

If a driver, keke, or school bus does the run, make sure at least one other trusted adult knows the exact schedule too. Predictability is convenient for you, but it's more convenient for the wrong person.

2. Know who's picking up

This is the one schools always talk about and parents always skip.

Set up a password system with your child's school, a secret word only approved pickup persons know. Sounds like overkill until it's the difference between your child going home with Auntie or going home with a stranger who "said" he's Auntie's driver.

Update the school's approved pickup list every term, not once at admission and never again.

3. Build a "who has eyes on my child" chain

There's a WhatsApp trick smart parent groups are already using, and it costs zero naira.

They create a small parent WhatsApp group per class or per route. The moment your child enters the school gate, someone confirms. The moment they leave, someone confirms again. Two check-ins, every day, no exceptions.

It sounds like too much work, until you remember Oyo happened on a normal Friday morning, during normal school hours.

4. Pressure your school politely, but firmly

Your school fees are not just for JAMB prep and extra lessons. Security is part of what you're paying for.

Ask direct questions: Does the school have a functioning perimeter fence? Is there an actual security post, or just a "gateman" with a stick? Is there a relationship with local vigilantes in the area?

If the answers are shaky, raise it in the PTA. Enough parents asking the same question at the same time moves schools faster than one parent complaining alone.

5. Teach your child the "loud no"

This one is uncomfortable, but necessary.

Children are taught to respect adults, sometimes to a fault. Teach yours that it's okay to scream, run, and cause a scene if a stranger tries to take them, even if that stranger claims to know you or the school.

Role-play it. Make it a game, not a scary lecture. Kids remember what they practice, not what they're told once.

6. Have a family emergency code word

If someone ever needs to pick up your child unexpectedly due to a genuine emergency or plans changed, that person should know a code word only your family uses.

No code word, no release. Make sure your child understands this rule applies to everyone, including people they recognise.

7. Don't sleep on community intelligence

Some estates and neighborhoods now run "strange faces" alert groups where parents flag unfamiliar cars, bikes, or people loitering near school routes in real time.

It's not about causing panic. It's about many eyes catching what one person alone would miss.

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Your personal data is more valuable than you might think. From banking details and passwords to photos, emails and social media accounts, cybercriminals are constantly looking for ways to steal sensitive information.

Meanwhile, you don't need to be a cybersecurity expert to stay safe online. In many cases, practising a few simple habits can significantly reduce your risk of falling victim to scams, identity theft or hacking attempts.News

TheRadar has compiled a list of seven cybersecurity habits everyone should adopt to better protect their personal data.