Nigeria’s current acting Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun has revived the Schools Protection Squad, a proactive initiative originally launched in 2014.
The initiative was set up to enhance security and safety within educational institutions across Nigeria. According to the Police, the move aligns with Egbetokun’s policy focus on safeguarding lives and property, particularly emphasising the security of schools and their students.
In addition to this safety-oriented approach, the Inspector-General has finalised preparations for the launch of a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure handbook for the Safe Schools initiative. This official launch and training event is scheduled for August 9, 2023. The event will involve the participation of 250 individuals representing various sectors, including the presidency, executive, judiciary, legislature, security agencies, civil society organisations, media, school administrators, unions, and other stakeholders. These details were shared by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, as conveyed in a statement from the Force Headquarters that was obtained on Monday.
The Inspector General of Police stated that the school protection squad was set up following the abduction of over 200 school girls from Chibok, Borno State in 2014 as part of efforts to ensure the unhindered education of children in conflict areas or affected by insecurity.
To strengthen the commitment towards securing schools, Former President of Nigeria Muhammadu Buhari also signed the Safe Schools Declaration ratification document in December 2019.
In December 2022, the federal government introduced the N144.8 billion Safe Schools Financing Plan to protect schools from terrorist attacks across the nation.
The former Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, explained that the plan’s implementation, scheduled between 2023 and 2026, was developed through extensive consultations with relevant stakeholders in the education and security sectors. Stakeholders included the Federal Ministry of Education, Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Department of State Security (DSS), and Defence Headquarters (Army, Navy, and Air Force).
The minister further revealed that inputs were gathered from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory ministries of Education, Finance and Budget, development partners, donor agencies, and civil society organisations. Their collaboration aimed to ensure that children’s education remained undisturbed by the activities of terrorists and other criminals. However, the initiative’s commencement has been hindered by a lack of funding.
In February 2023, the federal government pledged the timely release of funds for the National Safe Schools Initiative. This move seeks to enable children to attend school without the fear of kidnappings or ransom abductions.
The then Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba, emphasised that a safe and secure environment is pivotal for achieving each of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He emphasised the importance of ensuring that every child can learn without compromise.