To provide a safe and secure environment for teaching and learning in Nigerian schools, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has launched Safe Schools Response Squad in Bauchi.
The Squad will work in close partnership with other security agencies to tame the spate of attacks on schools, students and teachers for a robust secured learning environment.
During the launch of the squad yesterday, NSCDC Bauchi State commandant, Mr Ilelaboye Oyejide, said the squad will provide security to universities, polytechnics, colleges and boarding schools in the state.
He said the Safe Schools Declaration which the federal government ratified in 2018, mandated the NSCDC to coordinate the implementation of the scheme along with other state security agencies.
The commandant said the Safe Schools Initiative will reduce armed conflict on education where incidences of bombing, kidnapping and killings of both students and teachers occurred.
He expressed confidence that smooth implementation of the Safe Schools Initiative will reduce the burden of out of school children which Bauchi is currently trying to contend with through various policies and programmes.
Oyejide said other safety and security issues confronting students on various campuses such as sexual and child abuses, assault and theft will be tackled.
To effectively implement the initiative, the commandant said emergency hotlines have been put in place to receive complaints and distress calls for prompt action to ensure safety of students and government structures across the 20 local governments of the state.
Since the abduction of Chibok School Girls in 2014 by Boko Haram insurgents, a lot of public schools across the country have come under siege with the one of the most recent being the abduction of students of Federal University Gusau.
