The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has launched a School Protection Squad, September 4, in preparation for the resumption of schools to prevent attacks on both private and public schools in the six area councils of Abuja.
The FCT Commissioner of Police, Benneth Igweh, made this revelation during the opening of the Police Strategic Stakeholders Forum on School Security and the training of the Schools Protection Squad at the Nigeria Police Resource Centre in Abuja.
The theme of the event is ‘Strengthening security resilience and integration of host communities in the protection of education’.
Igweh reassured residents of Abuja of police readiness to protect students and make schools in the FCT safe.
It would be recalled that the Nigeria Government in its efforts to reduce the number of out-of-school children formally launched the Safe School Protection, SPS, initiatives programme in 2022.
The Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of operations, DIG Ede Ayuba, speaking during the event said the Nigeria Police Force is ever committed to preventing attacks on schools across the country, hence the establishment of SPS by the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun in all states of the Federation and FCT to compliment the efforts of the federal government’s desire to achieve a safer and secure school environment in Nigeria.
The Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, who was represented by the FCT Director of Security, Adamu Buba, said the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), is ever ready to support the efforts of the Police and all other security agencies to ensure that the school environment in the capital territory will safe and secure for the good learning environment.
Mr Adamu who lauded the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun for the establishment of the school protection squad said the DSS and other security agencies will work in harmony with the Police in achieving the set goal.
Appreciating the programme, the FCT Mandate Secretary on Education, Danlami Ihayyo, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr Prospect Chukwuemeka Ibe said: “In our quest to provide quality education, ensuring the safety of our Students and Educators remains paramount. Schools should be sanctuaries of learning, free from fear and threat. This initiative by the Nigeria Police Force, particularly the Schools Protection Squad, is commendable and reflects a proactive approach to the challenges we face.
