•Police operatives
The Nigerian Police Force has launched a School Protection Squad to protect schools, students, pupils, and teachers in the Ekiti state from kidnapping and other security threats.
Speaking during the opening of the Strategic Stakeholders Forum on School Security and training of the Schools Protection Squad in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti state capital, the Coordinator of the Safe School Unit, Lanre Ogunlowo, said that the initiative was conceived in response to incessant attacks on schools which have created panic in the minds of teachers, students, and parents, thereby leading to the closure of schools.
Ogunlowo said the SPS was an initiative of Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Ebegtokun to adequately provide a safe and conducive environment for learning as well as protect both the students and teachers as well as infrastructures in the school, reports The Nation.
He reiterated the commitment of the Police to prevent attacks on schools across the country, soliciting the support of the host communities to achieve a safer and more secure school environment.
Ekiti State Commissioner for Police, Mr Akinwale Adeniran, said the initiatives is geared towards guaranteeing adequate security of the students and teachers as well as ensuring a secure environment for learning.
Adeniran highlighted the functions of the squad to visibility patrols around school, community policing, and timely intelligence gathering timely among other measures.
He expressed delight that Ekiti State was among the few states selected for the takeoff of the initiative, adding that the Squad would complement the existing security arrangements in the state.
Ekiti State governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji lauded the IGP for the establishment of the school protection squad, noting that the initiative would go a long way in helping tackle the incessant attacks on schools in the country.
He expressed the readiness of the state government to support the efforts of the Police and all other security agencies to ensure that the school environment in the state is secure for a good learning environment.
