Security: Bauchi Stakeholders Commend Nigerian Police, Describe Introduction of Safe Schools Program as Timely
From Our Correspondent.
The Commissioner of Police, Schools Protection Squad (SPS) at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, Abayomi Shogunle, has announced that the Nigeria Police Force has established a 24-hour emergency center dedicated to responding to school-related emergencies.
This announcement was made on Thursday during a Stakeholders Forum on the Security of Schools in Bauchi State, as well as the training of the Schools Protection Squad, held at Hazibal Suites and Event Center in Bauchi.
CP Abayomi explained that the security and safety of schools and other learning environments have become primary concerns for the Federal Government of Nigeria. He emphasized the need to officially launch a safe school initiative in the state.
He noted that Nigeria has faced security challenges, such as kidnappings, homicides, and the destruction of school infrastructure, which have sometimes led to school closures and negatively impacted local communities. These issues are often linked to the rising number of out-of-school children.
According to the report on the National Policy on Safety, Security, and Violence-Free Schools issued in 2021, over 600 teachers were killed in attacks between 2012 and 2016, with more than 19,000 teachers displaced.
The Nigerian government, recognizing its responsibility to create a safer learning environment, formally signed the Safe School Declaration on December 31, 2019. This document signifies the country’s commitment to implementing the initiative alongside 118 other member countries.
To address the severe challenges posed by conflicts and insecurity to school safety, the Federal Ministry of Finance, in collaboration with local and global stakeholders, convened a high-level forum on April 20, 2021.
The purpose of this forum was to tackle the menace of attacks on education through sustainable and innovative funding strategies involving federal, state, and local governments.
Additionally, between October 25 and 27, 2021, Nigeria hosted the 4th International Conference on the Safe Schools Declaration in Abuja. This event aimed to rally support for the initiative and evaluate progress in protecting schools and students from persistent attacks.
Following these initiatives, the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Finance, developed a mid-term national plan on Financing Safe Schools for the period of 2023 to 2026, in collaboration with states, local governments, and key government agencies.
In December 2022, the Ministers of Finance and Education formally introduced important policy documents, including the National Policy on Safety, Security, and Violence-Free Schools, as well as the Minimum Standards for Safe Schools.
In 2024, the Federal Government launched the Safe Schools Initiative to ensure that children affected by conflicts and insecurity can continue their education without disruption. This comprehensive plan, adopting a ‘whole-society approach’, began full implementation in 2023 with the establishment of the first Safe Schools Response Coordination Centre. This center will be replicated across all states and local governments for rapid response and information dissemination.
The event, focused on strengthening security resilience and integrating host communities, aligns with the national plan for financing safe schools in Nigeria. This plan includes a national investment response aimed at protecting schools, students, teachers, and non-teaching staff from attacks throughout the country. It is designed to achieve measurable outcomes, such as reducing the number of out-of-school children and improving Nigeria’s ranking in the human capital index over the long term.
“The policy also provides guidelines and a framework for ensuring safe and secure learning environments in schools nationwide. The objectives include to strengthen security resilience and integrate host communities into the security architecture in the protection of education, enhance the capacity of the school communities to protect education, create an effective and efficient national school security and emergency response infrastructure as well as enhance the capacity of security agencies to gather intelligence, prevent, and respond to attacks on educational Institutions and provide assistance to survivors of attacks on educational Institutions.
The plan implementation is in phases, with Edo State being one of the pilot states. The right to education is central to social and economic progress, and investment in education is an investment in human capital development. These policies, programmes, and activities align with the current administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the mandate of the Nigeria Police Force to protect lives and property, which IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun is vigorously pursuing.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Bauchi State Police Commissioner, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, said that in recent times, the country has witnessed an alarming increase in the spate of kidnappings, banditry, attacks and pockets of violence, targeting students and staffs within schools, adding that the unfortunate development has not only disrupted learning, but has instilled fear among parents, students and the nation at large.
He maintained that in response to the current development, the Nigerian Police collaborated with the federal and state governments and various stakeholders to develop the safe school programme, which aimed to create a safe school environment that allows children to pursue their education free from the specter of violence or fear.
“The ‘Safe School Program’ is a comprehensive initiative that involves multiple stakeholders and agencies working in unison to prevent attacks, respond effectively in emergencies, and support communities and schools
affected by violence. The Safe School Squad will be guided by a comprehensive policy framework delineating its mandate, functions, and operational protocols.
“This unit will work closely with educational institutions,
communities, and other stakeholders to identify potential threats, respond promptly to emergencies, and support affected schools and communities.
Creating the “Safe School Squad” significantly advances our commitment to ensuring school safety. This squad will be rigorously trained and dedicated to tirelessly preventing attacks and effectively addressing emergencies as they arise.
“The Federal Government has demonstrated its dedication to this initiative by providing funding and resources to support the program’s implementation. We also extend our gratitude to the State Governments
for their collaboration and support”
“Regarding logistics, we have devised a comprehensive plan to ensure that the ‘Safe School Squad’ is adequately equipped with essential resources, including vehicles, communication devices, and other necessary tools’
“The Safe School Program transcends a mere police initiative; it is a collaborative effort necessitating the engagement of all stakeholders. We earnestly encourage parents, educators, students, and the wider community to support this initiative and join hands with us in ensuring that our schools remain sanctuaries for learning,” he said
