The escalating security threats and acts of vandalism targeting schools and public infrastructure have become a significant concern for the future of Nigeria’s education sector and public assets.
Report confirmed that, attacks on schools nationwide have resulted in the tragic deaths of hundreds of teachers, the abduction and murder of students, the destruction of school facilities, and widespread disruptions to learning.
In response to this challenge, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode A. Egbetokun, launched the “School Safety Initiative,” a programme designed to foster collaborative efforts to enhance security around schools and create a safer learning environment.
Recognising the importance of this initiative, the Jigawa State government has taken the lead in its implementation by recruiting 9,917 school safety guards.
The initiative, introduced by the Nigeria Police Force, aims to secure school environments against security threats, ensuring that every child has access to education.
According to the national coordinator of the School Protection Squad, CP Abayomi Shogunle, the growing security challenges around schools have led to the deaths of over 600 teachers and left more than 2.9 million children out of school across the country.
CP Shogunle highlighted that the IGP’s initiative is built on three strategic pillars: includes: Building infrastructure for rapid response to emergencies in schools, strengthening community
participation and collaboration in intelligence gathering, collaborating with sister security agencies to manage threats and create a safer learning environment.
Schools was recognised as. sanctuaries for nurturing the leaders of tomorrow, shaping the nation’s future prosperity, and ensuring sustainable social and economic development. It is basically compulsory to do everything possible to secure school environment On March 6, the IGP inaugurated160 trained police officer selected to form the “School Protection Squad” in Jigawa State. During the inauguration, the state government handed over a fully equipped secretariat, two Hilux vehicles, and motorcycles to support the initiative, with an estimated cost of over ₦350 million.
Although Jigawa is considered a relatively peaceful state, the launch of this initiative is timely and will significantly enhance security around schools, providing robust measures against potential threats.
Since assuming office, Governor Malam Umar Namadi has prioritized revitalizing the state’s education sector through massive renovations and construction of classrooms, provision of learning materials and furniture, recruitment of teachers, and other interventions aimed at improving access to education and learning outcomes.
The inauguration of the 9,917 guards comprising both male and female recruits, was held simultaneously with a passing-out parade at the Gen. Yakubu Gowon NYSC Orientation Camp in Panisau, Dutse. This initiative represents a comprehensive approach to security, involving all security agencies to protect schools, hospitals, courts, water facilities, and other public assets.
The newly recruited guards will be deployed to various facilities under three private security companies assigned to different senatorial zones: Kare-Kallo for Jigawa Central, JIMAD for Jigawa Northwest, and Corporate Security for Jigawa Northeast.
Governor Namadi emphasized that the program is not only about security but also about job creation. “Beyond securing public assets, this initiative provides meaningful employment for our youth,” he said.
He also called on community members to support the security personnel, stating, “Ideally, these institutions should be safeguarded by the communities themselves, but this initiative provides a structured approach to community-based security.”
The initiative is expected to strengthen the safety of schools and other public facilities through the deployment of trained personnel and collaborative efforts with security agencies and the general public.
Addressing the newly recruited guards, Governor Namadi urged them to carry out their duties with integrity and professionalism, assuring them of the government’s commitment to their welfare.
“Your uniforms are a symbol of authority to protect, not to intimidate or harass members of your communities. The government will commit over ₦3.4 billion annually to this initiative, demonstrating our dedication to safeguarding these critical facilities,” he stated.
The government has also signed agreements with the security companies to ensure fair wages, timely payments, and necessary supervision to maintain high security standards. “If implemented and sustained effectively, this initiative has the potential to provide the necessary protection for investments in schools and other public facilities, which have been increasingly targeted by vandals, insurgents, bandits, and other criminal elements.
This bold step by the Jigawa State gover ment underscores its commitment to safeguarding education and public infrastructure while creating employment opportunities for its youth, setting a precedent for other states to follow.
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