The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has inaugurated the Schools Protection Squad in Niger State as part of the safe schools initiative.

The IG inaugurated the SPS and commencement of training during a stakeholders’ forum organised by the Nigeria police in conjunction with the Niger State Government on Wednesday in Minna.

The theme of the stakeholders’ forum is “Strengthening security resilience and integration of host communities in the protection of education,”

Mr Egbetokun, represented by Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Zone 7, Ogundele Ayodeji, said that the event was part of the Federal Government and the Nigeria police efforts towards the implementation of national policies and framework on safe schools declaration and initiative.

He said that to achieve the objectives of security and safety in schools, specific roles had been designed for key stakeholders including the federal, state and local government areas including security agencies.

Mr Egbetokun said that the Nigeria police as the lead agency in crime and safety control in the country had been saddled with the responsibility of protecting students and teachers in primary, secondary schools and higher institutions.

He said that the training was to enhance the capacity of personnel of the SPS in Niger State, adding that the Nigeria police was committed to ensuring security and safety in schools.

The IG called on the Niger State Government to support the state commissioner of police and the SPS to ensure effective security in schools.

In her remarks, National Coordinator of the Financing Safe Schools Initiative, Halima lliya, said the event was the implementation of the National Plan on Financing Safe Schools 2023 to 2026.

She said the plan was aimed at protecting at-risk schools, learners, teachers and non-teaching staff from attacks to reduce the number of out-of- school children in the country.

Mrs Iliya disclosed that the plan has investment of N144.8 billion from 2023 to 2026, adding that the Federal Government released N15 billion in 2023 to the implementing agencies.

On his part, the Niger State governor, Umaru Bago, said that his administration was embarking on renovation and remodelling of more than 70 schools across the state to enhance security and safety of educational institutions.

Mr Bago, represented by the Secretary to the Niger State Government, Abubakar Usman, said that the state government had acquired a four gun-truck bulletproof Armoured Personnel Carrier to address security challenges in the state.

Earlier, Commissioner of Police in Niger State, Shawulu Dan-mamman, appreciated the IG for his pragmatic leadership and commitment to ensuring security and safety in schools across the country.

He pledged that the police command in the state would continue to prioritise the protection of schools and ensure timely response to distress calls on attacks in schools.

Also in his remarks, the National Coordinator, Schools Protection Squad, Basil Idegwu, said the forum was geared towards fostering effective collaboration among the Nigeria police, sister agencies and stakeholders.

(NAN)