Amidst the worsening security threat facing schools in Delta State, critical stakeholders have commended the launch of the Safe School Initiative and the inauguration of the Schools Protection Squad in the state by the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun.
The stakeholders at a forum on the security of schools in Delta State and the training of the school protection squad held in Asaba advocated greater synergy among various security agencies, government, school authorities, pupils, students, teachers, and school heads to achieve a safer school and learning environment.
At the event, which had as its theme “Strengthening Security Resilience and Integration of Host Communities, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, described the safe school initiative as a comprehensive, community-based strategy designed to protect schools, empower students, and build trust between law enforcement, educators, and families.
He said a dedicated team of officers trained and equipped to safeguard learning institutions and respond swiftly to any threat that may arise had been formed.
IGP Egbetokun, represented by the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 5, AIG Salman Garba-Dogo, called for the cooperation of parents, educators, students, and police personnel to make the safe school initiative achieve its aims and objectives.
”Let me reiterate that this initiative was born out of the commitment towards ensuring the safety and security of our students and educational institutions.”
“We cannot overemphasize the importance of our schools to the overall development of our dear nation. Our schools are not only sanctuaries of knowledge but also a nurturing ground for the future leaders of our great nation, Nigeria.”
“Given the above, I have directed the Commissioners of the Police, within the Zone, to engage their various stakeholders in meetings to ensure that the safety of our schools is guaranteed. This initiative is more than a programme, it is a promise. A promise that our children can attend school without fear.
“That our teachers can focus on education, not emergency response, and that every member of our community will play a role in ensuring that safety is not just a priority but a guaranteed right. We live in times where vigilance is essential. Incidents in schools across the world have shown us that we cannot afford to be complacent. The safe school initiative embodies proactive, preventive, people policing,” said Egbetokun.
Declaring the event open, Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, who noted that security is a shared responsibility, applauded the Nigeria Police for the laudable initiative to confront the new security threat confronting the educational institutions.
The Delta State Governor, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Kingsley Emu, expressed the hope that the forum would proffer fresh ideas on how to strengthen the Safe School programme and keep children and communities safe.
National Coordinator and Commissioner of Police, Schools Protection Squad, Force Headquarters, Abuja, CP Abayomi Shogunle hinted that the federal government, in recognition of its responsibility to create a safer and more secure learning environment, formally signed the safe school declaration document in December 2019 to signal the country’s commitment to its implementation alongside 118 member countries.
In an address of welcome, the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, gave an assurance that the school protection unit in the command would work assiduously to protect school children in the state.
The Safe School Initiative in Nigeria emerged as a response to the growing insecurity in schools, especially in the northeastern part of the country, where insurgency, kidnappings, and violence have disrupted education.
The initiative was launched in 2014 after the abduction of over 270 girls from Chibok, Borno State, by Boko Haram militants
The primary goal of the Safe School Initiative is to ensure the protection of children and educational institutions from attacks, allowing learning to continue in a secure environment. It aims to strengthen the resilience of schools and communities through a combination of infrastructure, policy support, and community engagement.
Measures under the initiative include the reinforcement of school buildings, the provision of security personnel, the installation of early warning systems, and the creation of safe spaces for students.
For instance, in March 2024, the Defence Headquarters launched its Standard Operating Procedure for the Safe School Initiative.
General Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff, who spoke at the launch of the SOP, said this would provide necessary guidelines for members of the Armed Forces to implement the Safe Schools Initiative within the confines of international and national laws.
One Response