…Inaugurates School Protection Squad to Boost Campus Security
By Ijeoma Obioma in Makurdi.
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has launched the Safe School Initiative in Benue State, reinforcing the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to protecting educational institutions and ensuring the safety of students.
The initiative was unveiled over the weekend with the IGP represented by the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 4, Zachariah Achinyan, who formally inaugurated the Benue State Command’s School Protection Squad.
Egbetokun underscored the importance of secure learning environments in national development, describing schools as “breeding grounds for future leaders.”
He emphasized that the success of the initiative hinges on collaboration among educational stakeholders, local communities, and security agencies.
“Our goal is to institutionalize a culture of safety in schools, ensuring students, teachers, and staff can operate without fear,” he stated. “We will leverage modern technology and intelligence-driven strategies to secure our learning environments.”
The IGP also urged parents, school administrators, and community members to actively support the initiative and partner with law enforcement to confront threats facing schools.
Benue State Commissioner of Police, Emenari Ifeanyi, described the initiative as timely, citing rising security threats including cultism, armed robbery, kidnapping, and child trafficking. He stressed the urgent need to shield students from criminal exploitation.
Governor Hyacinth Alia, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Deborah Aber, lauded the initiative. She highlighted the state government’s ongoing efforts to bolster school security, including the deployment of special operations units, provision of motorcycles and
IGP Flags Off Safe School Initiative in Benue
…Launches School Protection Squad
By Ijeoma Obioma
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has launched the Safe School Initiative in Benue State, reaffirming the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to securing educational institutions and safeguarding students.
The initiative was unveiled over the weekend, with the IGP represented by the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 4, Zachariah Achinyan who officially inaugurated the Benue State Command’s School Protection Squad as part of the launch.
Egbetokun stressed the critical role of safe learning environments in national development, describing schools as “breeding grounds for future leaders.”
He noted that the success of the Safe School Initiative depends on collective efforts from education stakeholders, local communities, and security agencies.
“Our aim is to entrench a culture of safety within schools, ensuring that students, teachers, and staff can operate without fear,” the IGP said.
He added, “The police will adopt modern technology and intelligence-driven approaches to secure these institutions.”
He called for a united front involving parents, school administrators, and the wider community, urging them to support the initiative and work with law enforcement to tackle threats.
Speaking at the event, the Benue State Commissioner of Police, Emenari Ifeanyi, described the initiative as timely, citing growing security challenges such as cultism, armed robbery, kidnapping, and child trafficking. While he emphasised the need to shield students from criminal exploitation.
Governor Hyacinth Alia, represented by Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Deborah Aber, commended the effort, pointing out the state’s recent interventions to strengthen school security which include the deployment of special operations forces, provision of motorcycles and vehicles to security agencies, and the creation of a State Schools Response Centre to manage emergencies.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
