The Inspector General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun has launched the Safe School Initiative in Benue.
Performing the ceremony in Makurdi weekend, Mr. Egbetokun also inaugurated the Command’s School Protection Squad, (CSPS).
The Police helmsman said the programme was borne out of his commitment towards ensuring the safety and security of students and educational institutions.
Represented by AIG Zone 4, Mr. Zacharia Achinyan, the IG said it was imperative that educational authorities and community leaders work with the Police and other security agencies, to ensure the safety of schools.
“The Safe Schools is where a culture of safety for our students, teachers, staff and our communities at large is ensured.
“Our schools are not only sanctuaries of knowledge, but also a nurturing ground for the future leaders of our country; this means that the security of our schools determines the security of our future.
“Therefore, they must be protected against all possible threats. In light of the foregoing, I have directed all Commissioners of Police within the Zone to engage their various stakeholders in meetings to ensure that the safety of our schools is guaranteed.”
Mr. Egbetokun stated that the force would make use of modern technology and intelligence led policing to ensure proactive law enforcement presence around schools.
“I urge our schools, parents, and communities, to work in consonance with law enforcement agencies, as we champion the cause of safety and wellbeing for all our children.
“We must invest our efforts, resources, and our hearts into fostering a culture of safety in our schools.” he said.
In a welcome remark, the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Emenari Ifeanyi said the title of the stakeholders’ forum was “Strengthening Security Resilience and Integration of host communities”.
Mr. Ifeanyi said the event was timely as Benue has faced security challenges like; cultism, robbery, kidnapping, child trafficking and most recent attacks being handled by the command.
“Benue state has many schools and we must not allow criminal minded individuals to take advantage of any situation to harm our children. Our children are our future and must be protected.” he said.
Earlier, Gov Hyacinth Alia said the state was doing everything possible to provide safe and secured learning environment.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Deborah Aber, Alia listed the launching a special security operations, distribution of motorcycles and vehicles to support the conventional security agencies.
He also listed the construction of the state schools response centre for coordination emergency situations amongst others.
In his welcome address, Commissioner of Police, Schools Protection Squad (SPS) Force Headquarters, Mr. Abayomi Shogunle said the force has introduced a 24/7 functional emergency center dedicated to responding to schools emergencies.
Mr. Shogunle said the SPS has a national investment response aimed at protecting schools, learners, teachers and Non-teaching staff from attacks in all parts of Nigeria.
He said it 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.
“The right to education is central to social and economic progress, and investment in education is an investment in human capital development”.he said.
Also, the National Coordinator on Financing, Safe School Program, Halima Iliya said the exercise was aimed at closing the physical security that exist in and around schools and host communities and the near absence of rapid response infrastructure.
She said the poor level of security awareness among school administrators and other critical stakeholders would be strengthened.
She maintained that the programme has incorporated a multi-level approach to provide responsive security coverage for host communities, schools and other learning places adopting whole society approach in the protection of education.
