By Prisca Nguzo
Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun has launched Emergency Centres in Imo State designed to respond to safety concerns, security threats and other emergencies in schools across the state.
The National Coordinator, Schools Protection Squad (SPS), Force Headquarters, Abuja CP Abayomi Shogunle disclosed this at the two-day Stakeholders' Forum on the Security of Schools in Imo and Training of the Schools Protection Squad, SPS, held in Owerri on Thursday.
CP Shogunle expressed concern over prevalence of safety cum security concerns in schools, stressing that to achieve secured school environment, " a whole-society approach" should be adopted and fully implemented.
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According to the SPS boss, "the security and safety of our schools and other learning environment continue to attract the attention of the Federal Government of Nigeria. In recent years, Nigeria had faced security challenges such as kidnappings, homicide related cases, and destruction of school infrastructure sometimes leading to school closures and negatively affecting the host communities, these incidences can be linked to the increasing numbers of out-of-school children.
"The National Policy on Safety, Security and Violence-Free Schools in a 2021 report indicated that between 2012 and 2016, more than 600 teachers were killed in attacks, while more than 19,000 were displaced.
"I am delighted to inform this gathering that the Nigeria Police Force now have a 24/7 functioning Emergency Centre dedicated to responding to school emergencies."
He also disclosed the establishment of Joint Operation Centres and official launch of the Police Schools Protection Squad, SPS in the state to strengthen security resilience as well as integrate host communities into security architecture in the protection of education.
He added that the special squad would also help enhance capacity of the school communities to protect education; to provide assistance to survivors of attacks on educational institutions; among others.
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