IGP Egbetokun Safe Schools Initiative: Ogun Police Launches Schools Protection Squad, Floats Capacity Building Training
By: Abdulwasiu Akintunde, Olufemi Orunsola
As part of strategic efforts to bolster the safety and security of schools across all twenty local governments in the state, the Police Command in Ogun State has launched School Protection Squad (SPS), in line with the Safe Schools Initiative of the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports that the Ogun State Police Command spokesperson, Omolola Odutola, announced earlier in the week that the launch would take place during a two-day event themed “Capacity Building for Security Agencies and Other Stakeholders.”
OTN News further reports that the announced two-day capacity forum which commenced on Tuesday 25th attracted critical stakeholders in the security landscape of the state as well as stakeholders in the education sector.
In his address during the launch of the Schools Protection Squad in Abeokuta, the Ogun Police Commissioner, Abiodun Alamutu noted that "The recent surge in the incidents of violence and insecurity in schools underscores the urgent need for an holistic approach to the safety of our schools", adding that with the launch of the schools protection squad "we are marking a significant stride toward school safety."
CP Alamutu further stressed that "The Schools Protection Squad "represents a dedicated team of trained personnel who will collaborate with schools to foster an environment of safety", adding that "They will conduct regular patrols,facilitate workshops with students on personal safety, and engage with parents and educators to create open lines of communication".
Urging all critical stakeholders in the education sector in the state to play their conscientiously, CP Alamutu emphasized that "Safety is not the sole responsibility of law enforcement agents" but "a shared responsibility".
The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, while speaking at the event said that as a state with large numbers of education institutions in Nigeria, his administration was saddled with the responsibility of securing the lives and properties of learners especially those in primary and secondary schools.
Abiodun, who was represented by the Commissioner for Education Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, charged the host communities of education institutions in the state to collaborate with the security agencies to safeguard the lives of the students from crime and possibly attacks within and outside the schools.
He said the theme: “Strengthening Security Resilience and Integration of Host Communities,” is timely and relevant, as it seeks to address one of the most pressing challenges facing our educational sector and our country at large. The need to safeguard our schools and the people within them cannot be overstated.
“Without the safety and security of our children, there can be no meaningful education, no sustainable development, and no future for our nation. As a government, we understand that it is not enough to merely provide a secure environment. We must build resilience — the ability to withstand, respond to, and recover from security.
“This requires more than just law enforcement and security measures; it requires a holistic approach that involves all stakeholders — the government, local communities, security agencies, educational authorities, parents, and the private sector”, he added.
Earlier, the Commissioner of Police in charge of the schools, CP Lanre Ogunlowo said that national policy on safety, security and violence-free Schools indicated that more than 600 teachers were reportedly killed and attacked while more than 19,000 students were displaced between 2012 and 2016, hence the need to establish the school for protection of teachers and students against attracts.
What's Your Reaction?
