From Moshood Karim
A stakeholders’ forum aimed at addressing insecurity in and around educational institutions concluded on Saturday in Benin City, Edo State. The two-day event culminated in the official launch of the Nigeria Police Force School Protection Squad (SPS) by the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun. The initiative seeks to enhance the safety of pupils, educators, and school environments amid rising security concerns across the country.
The forum served as a platform for engaging various security agencies, both State and Federal, alongside volunteers, in a collaborative effort to tackle security threats in schools. One of the key outcomes of the event was the resolution of the long-standing issue of rivalry between security agencies, which has hindered effective action against insecurity in the past.
In his address at the conclusion of the forum, the National Coordinator of the Schools Protection Squad, CP Abayomi Shogunle, expressed his satisfaction with the progress made during the programme. He noted that the event had successfully educated the public on how to enhance security in schools and prevent criminal activities. He emphasised the importance of collaboration between various security agencies to ensure the safety of educational institutions.
“I want to believe the whole programme has been successful and we have been able to meet part of the desired outcome, which includes enlightenment on how we can prevent crimes and security issues in and around our educational institutions,” Shogunle said. “We have brought together different security agencies, both Federal and State, as well as volunteers, to work together in preventing security incidents.”
He also addressed the issue of inter-agency rivalry, highlighting that there is no room for competition between security agencies in the pursuit of national safety. “There is no point to have any rivalry between agencies since we are all working towards ensuring that Nigeria, and in particular Edo State, is safe,” he stated. “Victory belongs to everyone, and the aim is to work together.”
The SPS Coordinator further emphasised the importance of ongoing collaboration and the need for participants to share the knowledge gained during the forum with their colleagues. He explained that the effort is a continuous process, with security awareness and education playing a critical role.
On the topic of school patrols, Shogunle clarified that the frequency and nature of patrols would depend on a threat analysis of the specific area. He stated that while some schools might require more frequent visits, the overall goal is to prevent crime and respond swiftly to security threats.
“The most important thing is that there is a school patrol to prevent crime from happening, and also to apprehend individuals attempting to commit crimes,” he said. “This includes all schools – from pre-nursery and kindergarten to primary, secondary, and higher institutions.”
Shogunle also encouraged the public to report any suspicious activity through a dedicated phone number—0807 735 7777—stressing that community involvement is crucial for the success of the initiative. “If you see something, say something so that we can do something,” he added.
Folashade Olayemi, an expert in school security, highlighted several challenges contributing to insecurity in Edo State’s schools. These included cultism, drug use, and bullying. She recommended that host communities engage with schools to build trust and change mind-sets. Olayemi also called for enhanced collaboration between security agencies, as well as the use of advanced technologies such as surveillance equipment and forensic tools to improve school safety.
“The synergy among security agencies is lacking, and this must be addressed,” she stated. “We need a multi-dimensional approach to ensure that our schools are safe.”
Engr. Ehibuoria Isi-Omoigberale, another key speaker at the event, underscored the importance of technology in enhancing school security. He advocated for the use of technology as a “guiding angel” in securing educational centres and called for more training to help participants effectively utilise technological tools.
Inspector Bassey Yohanna also conducted a practical session on the operation of drones for securing school environments. This hands-on training demonstrated the potential of aerial surveillance in monitoring and securing school premises.
The forum featured a panel discussion with representatives from all security agencies in the State. During the session, each agency shared valuable security tips and strategies to address the growing issue of insecurity in schools. There was unanimous agreement on the need for greater collaboration, improved intelligence sharing, and a reduction in inter-agency rivalry.
The panelists stressed that the safety of schools should be a collective responsibility, and that security agencies must work together to ensure a secure learning environment for students and staff alike.
As the forum concluded, the general consensus was that more work needs to be done to improve security in and around schools. The launch of the School Protection Squad marks a significant step forward, but participants agreed that the initiative must be supported by continued collaboration, public involvement, and the integration of advanced security technologies.
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