In a ceremony held at LEA Primary School in Maitama, Abuja, Inspector‑General of Police Olatunji Disu formally launched the Nigeria Police Force’s Safe School Programme, declaring that Nigerian children are now “safe.” The initiative, presented by the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), aims to strengthen security around schools nationwide through enhanced police‑community collaboration, intelligence gathering, surveillance and rapid response.
Force Public Relations Officer CSP Anietie Okokon Iniedu, speaking on behalf of IGP Disu, explained that the police have set up internal warning and response mechanisms to enable schools to alert authorities quickly when threats arise. He stressed that the programme is particularly timely amid a rise in attacks on soft targets such as schools and places of worship by criminal and terrorist groups.
“He directed us to go out. You are in charge of your community. You represent the villages and communities. Together, we want to partner with him to say: never again in this country should there be an attack on our teachers and our schools,” said PCRC National Chairman Alhaji Mogaji Olaniyan. He added that the committee would deploy 10,000 volunteers across the country, working alongside police, community leaders, vigilante groups and other stakeholders.
Olaniyan also highlighted the programme’s focus on rural and remote schools, which he described as “potentially vulnerable.” The PCRC has already begun installing CCTV cameras, with the national body supplying three units for the FCT and the FCT PCRC adding another three. The goal is to expand surveillance coverage to all six area councils of the Federal Capital Territory and then roll the model out nationwide.
Beyond physical security, the Safe School Programme will address social vices among young people. The PCRC plans to forge stronger links between schools and former students who have become professionals—lawyers, judges and other prominent Nigerians—so they can serve as mentors and role models. Such engagement is intended to inspire pupils, promote positive values and showcase the achievements attainable through education.
“We are not working in isolation. We are engaging community leaders, vigilantes and other stakeholders. If you see something, say something,” Olaniyan urged. He affirmed that the programme would remain a major priority for the PCRC, working in partnership with the Nigeria Police Force to safeguard educational institutions.
<small>Source: Vanguard News — read the original story there.</small>
