In response to growing concerns over threats of attacks on public and private schools nationwide, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, officially launched the Safe School Initiative on Tuesday, May 27, aiming to safeguard students and secure learning environments across the country.
As part of this comprehensive plan, the police have commenced the training of the School Protection Squad (SPS), a specialized unit dedicated to ensuring the safety of schools.
The launch ceremony, witnessed by Governor Abdullahi Sule and his deputy, Dr. Emmanuel Akabe, was held in Nasarawa State, where both leaders praised the IGP’s proactive effort. Governor Sule lauded the resilience of security agencies in maintaining peace within the state, emphasizing that the Safe School Initiative is a timely intervention against kidnappings and criminal activities targeting educational institutions.
He urged all stakeholders to approach the training with utmost seriousness and to report any suspicious activity around schools to the authorities promptly.
Representing the IGP, Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) for Zone 4, Zacharia Achinyan Fera, highlighted that the establishment of Nasarawa Command’s School Protection Squad reflects a commitment to creating a culture of safety not only for students and teachers but also for the surrounding communities.
“Our schools are not just sanctuaries of knowledge but also nurturing grounds for our future leadership for our country,” Fera stated. “This means the security of our schools is the security of our future. Therefore, they must be protected against all possible threats.”
IGP Egbetokun has directed all police commissioners within the zone to prioritize the safety of schools under their jurisdiction. He further called on community leaders and stakeholders to collaborate closely with the police and other security agencies to protect educational environments from potential dangers.
To complement these efforts, the IGP assured that educators, administrators, and security personnel would receive specialized training to identify and respond effectively to security threats.
Emphasizing the role of technology, Egbetokun promised the deployment of modern security tools to proactively detect and mitigate risks around schools.
Commissioner of Police, Schools Protection Squad at Force Headquarters, CP Abayomi Shogunle, reinforced the critical importance of the initiative, noting the surge in kidnappings, homicides, and destruction of school infrastructure in recent years, which have led to closures and increased numbers of out-of-school children.
“This launch is intended to strengthen security resilience and foster integration with host communities, in line with the national strategy for financing safe schools,” Shogunle explained.
The initiative aims to bolster the capacity of host communities to protect educational facilities, establish efficient national school security and emergency response systems, and enhance intelligence gathering and rapid response capabilities among security agencies.
Nasarawa State has been selected as a pilot location for this pioneering plan. CP Shogunle urged the public to report any suspicious activities or threats to students and staff by calling the dedicated SPS hotline at 08077357777, which operates around the clock.
State Commissioner of Police, CP Shetima Mohammed, described the launch as a significant milestone in the police force’s mission to safeguard schools and their surrounding communities.
“Schools are not just institutions of learning but sanctuaries of hope and growth. Ensuring their safety is both a duty and a moral imperative,” Mohammed said.
He praised the IGP and Nigeria Police Force leadership for their visionary approach, emphasizing that the Safe School Initiative aligns closely with national objectives for sustainable development and nurturing human capital.
