Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command of Nigeria Police Force has ahead of school resumption, launched School Protection Squad to avert attacks on both private and public schools in the six area councils of the nation’s capital, Abuja.

The FCT Commissioner of Police, Benneth Igweh disclosed this while declaring open the ongoing Police Strategic Stakeholders Forum on Security of Schools in FCT and training of the Schools Protection Squad at the Nigeria Police Resource centre, Abuja, with the theme, ‘Strengthening security resilience and integration of host communities in the protection of education’.

He reassured residents of the Territory of the Command’s readiness to protect students and make schools in the FCT safe.

He said: “Security and safety of students and teachers have gained significant attention from government at all levels, following incessant attacks on schools which have created panic in the minds of teachers, students and parents, the act thereby led to the closure of schools.

“The command has mapped out all schools in the Territory to ensure their adequate safety and protection, and the command has not recorded any attack on schools and noted that the command is committed to sustaining efforts towards the safety of the schools especially in the rural areas.”

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.

He said: “Today’s programme is a follow up to similar events held in Kaduna and Niger states respectively on 8th – 9th and 14th to 15th May, 2024 which witnessed massive participation and were equally successful. I have no doubt that we will achieve more participation of relevant stakeholders in the FCT, being the federal capital of Nigeria.

“The forum is amongst others, geared towards fostering effective partnership between the Nigeria Police, sister security agencies, and other relevant stakeholders, in preventing attacks on schools. And it is expected that at the end of it, participants, especially the hosts communities will have better understanding of their roles in safeguarding schools for a secure and effective learning environment for our children.

May I, at this juncture add that the Federal Government makes it top priority to protect schools through the safe schools’ project and secure learning environment for National development. In the same vein, the Nigeria Police Force embraced the project by establishing the Schools Protection Squad (SPS) in all the states of the federation and the FCT, as well as training of State Coordinators and Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) nationwide. The Force is also undertaking series of activities in line with safe schools’ national plan to guarantee a safer learning environment.

“The inclusion of critical stakeholders such as the host communities, community/religious leaders, youth organizations, CSOs, sister security agencies and the FCT Administration, is the realization of the important role they play in safeguarding our schools and the reduction of out of school children in the FCT and the nation at large.

“The Police recognizes the invaluable contribution of host communities in schools’ protection hence the need for their support. It is on this premise that I solicit continuous support and cooperation of all, to effectively collaborate and prevent attacks on our schools. The two-day interactive and all-inclusive programme will ensure effective partnership for community resilience to protect our schools.”

For his part, the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike who was represented by the FCT Director of Security, Adamu Buba said the Capital Territory Capital Administration (FCTA), is ever ready to support the efforts of the Police and all other security agencies to ensure that school environment in the capital territory will safe and secure for good learning environment.

Adamu who lauded the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun for the establishment of 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.

“Your commitment to safeguard our educational institutions is invaluable. As we deliberate today, let us remember that the security of our Schools cannot be achieved in isolation. It requires the active collaboration of all Stakeholders, The Government, Law Enforcement Agencies, Community Leaders, Non-Governmental Organizations, Faith Based Organizations, Development Partners, Parents, and the Students themselves. Together, we must build a resilient security framework that guarantees the safety and well-being of every child in our care. It is indeed a fundamental priority for us all.”