By Izunna Okafor, Awka
As part of his strategic steps towards enhancing internal security, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, has launched the pioneering ‘School Protection Squad’ in Anambra State.
The two-day unveiling event, which kicked of at the Prof. Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre in Awka on Wednesday, drew a large gathering of dignitaries, comprising government officials, school heads, school children, security operatives, and community leaders, with the primary aim of establishing a robust security network around schools, thereby mitigating threats and ensuring a secure learning environment.
Flagging off the School Protection Squad and training program for the squad, the IGP, who was represented by the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 13, AIG Godwin Aghaulor, emphasized that the launch was borne out of the commitment to enhancing safety and security within educational institutions in Anambra and beyond. The IGP, who dwelt on the theme ‘Strengthening Security Resilience and Integration of Host Communities in the Protection of Education’, reiterated the urgency and importance of safeguarding learning environments against emerging threats.
He attested that the State Governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, has shown consistent support and dedication to the safety of educational facilities across the state, while also showcasing the collective will and effort to support the Nigeria Police Force in promoting the Federal Government’s agenda of prioritizing school protection and promoting a safe and conducive learning environment in Nigeria, which he said, requires strengthening security resilience in the host communities.
His words: “Collaboration and integration between host communities and security agencies play a significant role in fostering a secure and harmonious coexistence. By coming together and building strong partnerships, we are proactively addressing the challenges and security threats faced by educational institutions in our country. If these threats are left unchecked, they could adversely impact the economy and the future of our nation.”
The IGP also lauded the National Coordinator of the School Protection Squad, CP Lanre Ogunlowo, along with other key stakeholders for their tireless dedication to ensuring the project’s success. He noted that the squad had been established in all states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to fortify school safety.
“The training of State Coordinators and Divisional Police Officers nationwide is a crucial step,” he noted, encouraging all stakeholders to work hand in hand.
Earlier speaking, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam, in his speech, expressed gratitude to the IGP for selecting Anambra as the first state to benefit from this initiative.
According to him, the operation is timely, especially given the current security concerns in the state, as the initiative will further increase public confidence in the police and other security agencies regarding the protection of lives and property. Itam said. He also called on the traditional rulers, community leaders, and school administrators to lend their support to enable the initiative succeed beyond expectation.
In his keynote address, the State Governor, Prof. Soludo, applauded the IGP’s vision and reiterated the state government’s commitment to education and security.
Governor Soludo, who was represented by his deputy, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, said the initiative aligns perfectly with his administration’s ongoing efforts to revamp the educational sector and strengthen local security in the State. Highlighting few systematic steps of the present government, he recalled that the administration has recruited no fewer than 8000 teachers, adding that efforts are also on top gear to ensure that every community in Anambra has purely public schools. He also recalled the high rate of insecurity and gunmen attack in the state about three years ago when the hoodlums took over parts of the State, adding that there has been a great improvement at the moment. He said the state government’s prioritizing of security of lives and property is also evidenced in the recent appointment of a Special Adviser to the Governor on Community Security, which, he said, will also help to strengthen school security in various communities.
“We are investing heavily in creating a safe, secure, and conducive environment for learning. Protecting our schools is not just about the infrastructure but about the future of our children and teachers,” he noted.
Governor Soludo further highlighted the critical role of community partnerships in achieving lasting security, further amplifying the clarion call for everyone to come together and take ownership of the scheme.
Speaking on behalf of the traditional rulers in the state, the Traditional Ruler of Onitsha and Chairman of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, assured of their total support to the initiative.
In an interview with newsmen, the State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, who attended the event gorgeously adorned in a police uniform, commended the police for their proactive measures, which, she said, complement the huge ongoing efforts of the State government in the state educational and security sectors. She further expressed hope that the collaboration would yield tangible results in safeguarding the school children, educators, and Anambra schools at large.
The flag-off event, which also attracted heads of various security agencies in the state, also featured playing of a dramatic video clip of SPS enforcing school security; paper presentation, and a panel session which dissected and discussed the concept and the operation of school security from different scopes and viewpoints.
The second day of the event, which held at Nibo in Awka South Local Government Area, featured a compelling lecture by erudite scholar and Head of the Department of Psychology at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof. Chidozie Nwafor, who, through his lecture, titled “Security Agencies and Community Partnership in Safeguarding Nigerian Schools”, emphasized the need for collaboration and mutual understanding between security operatives and local communities.
According to him, quality education cannot be imparted in an atmosphere of chaos, fear, or unrest. He also stressed thàt trust and cultural awareness were essential for effective security measures.
On his own part, the Special Adviser on Security to Governor Soludo, Air Vice-Marshal Ben Chiobi (Rtd.), reassured of the government’s unwavering support for the School Protection Squad.
“This initiative will help boost public trust in our security systems and ensure that schools become safe havens for learning,” he said.
Also speaking, the National Coordinator of the Schools Protection Squad, CP Lanre Ogunlowo, elaborated on the program’s objectives, highlighting its consultative approach with local and global stakeholders. He expressed optimism that the squad would significantly mitigate the risks faced by schools, especially in conflict-prone areas.
Contributing, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for Anambra State, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, assured the public that the command would maintain robust coordination with sister security agencies and stakeholders to achieve the Squad’s objectives.
More photos from the event:
