Nigeria, Aug. 21 -- Public schools in Nigeria are facing new security challenges such as the mass abduction of students by bandits in parts of the country.

In Lagos State, PREMIUM TIMES observed internal and external threats to schools during an investigative tour. But the state government said it is planning to set up a special apparatus to provide protection.

For some public schools in the state, it is the absence of perimeter fencing, security gates and trained security personnel, but for others it is the flooding of classrooms and leaky roofs.

At St. Patrick's Primary School, Iragbo/Iragon, Badagry, pupils and teachers said their school has not been fenced in the over nine decades it has existed.

On a cold Monday morning in July, ...