By Princely Onyenwe | News Desk
A police officer in Delta State has raised the alarm over the growing involvement of secondary school students in cybercrime and other forms of misconduct, warning that the trend requires urgent and coordinated intervention from parents, schools and government authorities.
The concern, which has sparked fresh debate over discipline and moral standards in secondary schools, also touches on alleged cases of sexual activity, stealing, indiscipline, disrespect for authority and other forms of misconduct among pupils in both public and private schools.
The police officer, a Divisional Police Officer (DPO), reportedly drew particular attention to the alleged increasing involvement of some secondary school students in cybercrime, popularly known as “Yahoo Yahoo,” describing the quick-money mentality as a dangerous influence on young people.
The development has renewed calls for stronger regulation and effective sanctions within the secondary school system, particularly as concerns grow over activities allegedly taking place around boarding facilities, student hotels and lodges in some parts of the state.
Speaking with 9News Nigeria, critical stakeholders in the society hinted that the issue can no longer be treated solely as a school disciplinary matter, arguing that parents, teachers, school administrators, the Ministry of Education, security agencies and governments at different levels must work together to prevent the situation from becoming more deeply entrenched.
They added that the controversy over the use of mobile phones by students has also become part of the challenge. While some parents provide smartphones to their children for communication and educational purposes, others have expressed concern that unrestricted access to such devices could expose young students to inappropriate content, online fraud and other harmful influences.
There is, however, another dimension to the disciplinary challenge. Some teachers and school administrators have complained that attempts to enforce discipline can sometimes trigger confrontation with parents, particularly when physical punishment or other sanctions are involved. In some cases, parents have reportedly resorted to social media campaigns or legal action against teachers over disciplinary measures.
Some other academia who spoke with 9News Nigeria argue that this creates a difficult balance: schools must protect students from abuse while also retaining effective, lawful mechanisms for correcting misconduct.
The situation has therefore intensified calls for clearer school regulations, stronger parental supervision, age-appropriate digital education and lawful disciplinary procedures that protect students while maintaining order.
In addition, concerned Nigerians who spoke with our correspondent on this matter also urged governments to strengthen monitoring of boarding houses, student accommodation facilities and establishments allegedly used by secondary school students outside school hours, while ensuring that any enforcement action complies with child-protection laws and due process.
Unlike university students, who are generally adults and are expected to exercise greater personal responsibility, secondary school pupils are still minors undergoing formal character and academic development. Stakeholders therefore say allowing harmful behaviours to become normalised at that stage could have serious consequences for their future.
The alarm over cybercrime has also brought renewed attention to the influence of social media and the growing attraction of quick wealth among young Nigerians. Stakeholders believe that beyond punishment, schools and families must provide students with stronger guidance on the consequences of internet fraud, sexual exploitation, substance abuse and other risky behaviours.
The concerns raised by the police officer have consequently placed renewed responsibility on parents, educators and government authorities to act before the problems become even more deeply rooted in the education system.
Rather than waiting until misconduct escalates into criminal behaviour, stakeholders say preventive education, parental involvement, responsible technology use, lawful discipline and stronger institutional oversight should form the foundation of a coordinated national response.
Meanwhile , it has become critical as a call for society to protect secondary school students at a critical stage of their development, while ensuring that efforts to restore discipline do not compromise their rights, safety or dignity.
The recent day sexual activities, cyber crime and indiscipline ravaging secondary school minors have to be checked and punishment be given to ailling students without sentiments and parental excuses.
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