The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, on Thursday, launched a new police-led school protection squad under the Safe School Initiative.
Egbetokun said the unit is part of the national strategy to fortify educational institutions against rising security threats.
The Commissioner of Police in charge of the Schools Protection Squad, Abayomi Shogunle, performed the unveiling on behalf of the IGP and stressed the urgent need for coordinated security measures to safeguard students, staff, and school infrastructure across the country.
Shogunle, who spoke at a stakeholders’ forum on school security, said Nigeria has increasingly battled threats such as kidnapping, homicide, and the destruction of school property.
He explained that these challenges have forced many schools to shut down, thereby worsening the problem of out-of-school children and affecting surrounding communities.
He cited the 2021 National Policy on Safety, Security, and Violence-Free Schools, revealing that “more than 600 teachers were killed in attacks, while more than 19,000 were displaced between 2012 and 2016”.
Shogunle said, “Today’s event, Strengthening Security Resilience and Integration of Host Communities, aligns with the national plan on financing safe schools in Nigeria.
“The plan has a national investment response aimed at protecting schools, learners, teachers and non-teaching staff from attacks in all parts of Nigeria and was designed to achieve measurable outcomes such as reducing the number of out-of-school children and improving Nigeria’s rating in the human capital index in the long run.”
Bauchi State Police Commissioner Sani-Omolori Aliyu also addressed participants at the forum. He confirmed that Nigeria has recorded a disturbing increase in kidnappings, banditry, and attacks targeting students and school staff.
He said these incidents have disrupted learning and spread fear among parents, pupils, and the broader society.
Aliyu revealed, “It was in response to the development that the Nigerian Police collaborated with the federal and state governments and various stakeholders to develop the safe school programme aimed at creating a safe school environment that allows children to pursue their education, free from the spectre of violence or fear.”
He continued, “The Safe School Program is a comprehensive initiative that involves multiple stakeholders and agencies working in unison to prevent attacks, respond effectively in emergencies, and support communities and schools affected by violence.
“The Safe School Squad will be guided by a comprehensive policy framework that delineates its mandate, functions, and operational protocols.”
Aliyu noted that the unit would collaborate with schools, local communities, and relevant bodies to detect and respond to threats swiftly.
He added that the formation of the squad signifies a major leap in the police force’s dedication to school safety.
“This squad will be rigorously trained and dedicated to tirelessly preventing attacks and effectively addressing emergencies as they arise,” he said.
He emphasised that “The Safe School Program transcends a mere police initiative; it is a collaborative effort necessitating the engagement of all stakeholders. We earnestly encourage parents, educators, students, and the wider community to support this initiative and join hands with us in ensuring that our schools remain sanctuaries for learning.”