The inspector general of police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, has officially unveiled security equipment as well as commenced a training programme for state coordinators of the School Protection Squad (SPS) and selected divisional police officers nationwide.
Force PRO, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said this is a bid to reinforce the programme for viability in achieving the national action plan for school protection.
The official unveiling and launch of the training programme marked a significant step forward by the force in the commitment to safeguard the education system, children and young ones, by fostering a secure and conducive learning environment across the nation, he said.
Speaking at the event, the IGP said the training programme aims to equip state coordinators and divisional police officers from all 36 states and the FCT with comprehensive knowledge on the police’s role in the national plan for safe schools in Nigeria by facilitating the development of a strategic roadmap for the force’s collaboration with various stakeholders to secure our children’s learning environments while optimizing the human and material resources of the force to tackle crimes, particularly those targeting educational institutions.
The inspector general of police appreciated the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget & National Planning for spearheading the “Financing Safe Schools National Plan”, and all who have contributed to reaching the current milestone in the programme noting that their invaluable efforts are vital to the country’s progress.
He also tasked the officers nominated for the capacity building training to leverage on the training to boost the effect of the School Protection Squad in their respective Commands.
Also speaking, the director general of the Department of State Services, Mr. Yusuf Bichi called for interagency collaboration for the programme to succeed.
The national coordinator, Financing Safe Schools, Mrs. Halima Iliya, noted that the capacities of security personnel, schools’ host communities, critical stakeholders, students and staff of schools would be built to help them all fit into the national plan itself and play their respective roles.
Recall that on August 9, 2023, the Nigeria Police Force had launched the strategic forum on achieving safer schools in Nigeria and introduced the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), Manual for the Safe School Project.
