The Nigeria Police Force has officially launched its Safe Schools Protection Squad in Nasarawa State, extending full security coverage to all public and private primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions across the state.
The initiative, which aims to protect schools from rising security threats such as kidnapping, abduction, and violence, was formally introduced during a stakeholders’ forum held at the Government House in Lafia.
Representing the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, Assistant Inspector General Achinya Zacharia Fera noted that the squad was established in response to increasing attacks on schools nationwide. He emphasized the importance of proactive and innovative measures to ensure the safety of students and staff.
The Safe Schools Protection Squad, first conceptualized in 2019 and implemented fully in 2023, includes a 24-hour Safe School Response Centre designed to offer rapid emergency responses to security breaches in schools.
At the forum, heads of educational institutions, traditional and religious leaders, as well as security agencies, converged to discuss the new framework and its potential impact. Key stakeholders, including Commissioner of Police for the Schools Protection Squad at Force Headquarters, Abayomi Shogunle, stressed the importance of enhancing the capacity of schools to withstand and respond to security threats.
Governor Abdullahi Sule, who declared the forum open, commended the police for selecting Nasarawa as a pilot state. He described the move as a significant step toward restoring confidence in the safety of the learning environment.
The Commissioner of Police in Nasarawa State, Shettima Jauro Mohammed, also affirmed the command’s readiness, stating that a dedicated structure is in place to drive the programme’s effective rollout.
The event, themed “Strengthening Security Resilience and Integration of Host Communities in the Protection of Education,” featured presentations and video demonstrations showcasing the operational tactics of the newly trained School Protection Squad.
The launch marks a major milestone in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to safeguard educational spaces and foster secure, uninterrupted learning across vulnerable communities.