The Acting Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has announced the establishment of an initiative, the Schools Protection Squad (SPS).
Disclosing this in a statement on Monday, July 31st, the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said the initiative is aimed at enhancing security and safety in educational institutions across Nigeria.
TheFact Daily recalls that the Federal Government had in August last year, through the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. (Dr.) Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed, announced plans to launch a National Safe School Plan before the end of the third quarter of the year.
According to her, ‘the plan outlines how Nigeria intends to protect her schools and other learning places, so that our children can once again return to learning in a safer and more secured environment’.
In furtherance of the safety drive, the IGP has also concluded plans to launch a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) handbook for the Safe Schools Programme.
The official launch and training event is scheduled to take place on 9th of August 2023, with the participation of 250 individuals drawn from various sectors, including the presidency, executive, judiciary, legislature, security agencies, civil society organizations, media, school administrators, unions, and other stakeholders.
The Schools Protection Squad (SPS) is a specialized unit within the Nigeria Police Force tasked with drawing up policies and engaging relevant stakeholders to ensure the safety and protection of students, teachers, and school infrastructure, and will be equipped with relevant assets and advanced training to effectively respond to security challenges facing educational institutions.
The launch of the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) handbook for the Safe Schools Programme outlines the best practices and guidelines for securing schools, risk assessment, emergency response protocols, and collaboration between various stakeholders. The SOP will serve as a crucial reference for educational authorities, security agencies, and other participants involved in the Safe Schools Programme, empowering them to take coordinated and effective measures in ensuring the safety and protection of schools.
“The IGP similarly believes that through collaborative efforts and a united approach, Nigeria can build a robust education system that guarantees a secure and conducive learning environment for every child”, the statement read.
