FIC Report (Benue State) – The Nigeria Police Force has held a high-level stakeholders’ forum and training session aimed at strengthening school security across Benue State. The two-day programme, which took place at the New Banquet Hall, Government House, Makurdi, focused on enhancing the safety of schools and inaugurating the School Protection Squad (SPS).
The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, was represented by the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 4, Makurdi, AIG Zacharia Achinyan, fdc, who officially launched the Safe School Initiative in Benue State. He also inaugurated the Command’s School Protection Squad.
In his address, the IGP underscored the importance of collaborative efforts between educational authorities, community leaders, and security agencies to ensure the safety of students and learning environments.
“Our schools are not only sanctuaries of knowledge, but also nurturing grounds for the future leaders of our country. Therefore, their security directly impacts the future of our nation. I have directed all Commissioners of Police to engage stakeholders in their respective states to ensure comprehensive protection of educational institutions,” he said.
The IGP highlighted the use of modern technology and intelligence-led policing strategies to enhance proactive law enforcement presence around schools and urged communities, parents, and school administrators to support the initiative.
Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, CP Emenari Ifeanyi, PhD, psc, mnips, welcomed participants and noted that the programme was timely given the state’s ongoing security challenges, including cultism, robbery, kidnapping, and child trafficking.
“Benue State has a large number of schools, and criminal elements must not be allowed to exploit any opportunity to threaten the safety of our students. Our children are the future and must be protected,” he stated.
Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Alia, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Deborah Aber, Esq, reaffirmed the state’s commitment to providing safe and secure learning environments. He highlighted initiatives such as special security operations, provision of motorcycles and vehicles to security agencies, and the construction of a State Schools Response Centre to coordinate emergency responses.
The National Coordinator and Commissioner of Police in charge of the SPS, Force Headquarters, Abuja, CP Abayomi Shogunle, PhD, fsi, revealed the establishment of a 24-hour functional emergency response center dedicated to school emergencies.
He emphasized that the initiative seeks to reduce the number of out-of-school children, improve Nigeria’s Human Capital Index, and ensure the protection of learners and educational staff across the country.
“The right to education is central to social and economic development. Investing in education is investing in human capital,” he remarked.
Also speaking, the National Coordinator on Financing for the Safe School Programme, Hajiya Halima Iliya, noted that the initiative is designed to bridge physical security gaps in and around schools and communities, and to strengthen security awareness among key stakeholders.
She explained that the programme adopts a multi-level, whole-of-society approach to ensure responsive and sustainable protection of educational spaces.
The two-day event featured training sessions for participants on security awareness, information and communication technology, and community partnership strategies.
Signed
Veronica Azemba
For Head of Centre,
Federal Information Centre, Makurdi
