By Gom Mirian
The Acting Inspector General of Police, Ag. IGP Kayode Egbetokun, has announced the launch of a new Schools Protection Squad (SPS), aimed at ensuring the safety of students and teachers in educational institutions across the country.
In addition, a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) handbook for the safe school programme was unveiled, aimed at providing guidelines for school administrators and law enforcement officials on ensuring safety measures are effectively implemented in schools.
The move is in response to growing concerns over security in schools and the need for a more coordinated effort to safeguard the educational sector. It aims to prevent the occurrence of violent attacks, kidnappings, and other security breaches that have plagued schools in recent times.
Egbetokun, who announced this in Abuja on Monday, stated that “the Schools Protection Squad (SPS) will be equipped with relevant assets and advanced training to effectively respond to security challenges facing educational institutions.”
He added: “This comprehensive handbook 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.”
He, however, called on all pertinent stakeholders to embrace the effort and actively take part in ensuring the security and general well-being of Nigeria’s educational resources.
