The Benue State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) has met with the Commissioner of Police (CP) to discuss enhancing security measures for public schools in response to recent attacks on educational institutions in various parts of the country.
The Information Officer of the Benue SUBEB, Emmanuella Akese, in a statement made available to The PUNCH, bemoaned the security challenges facing public schools across the state.
Akese noted that the consciousness of these challenges informed the decision of the Executive Chairman of the Benue SUBEB, Grace Adagba, to seek collaboration with the police in addressing the situation.
The statement quoted the Benue SUBEB chairman as emphasising the imperative of fostering a harmonious relationship with the police, highlighting the incessant challenges of theft, vandalism, and other security breaches plaguing public schools.
“She cited a recent incident in Makurdi where there was an attempted abduction of schoolchildren, underscoring the urgent need to ensure the safety of learners, teachers, and school property,” the statement said.
On his part, the Commissioner of Police in Benue State, Steve Yabanet, said there were existing programmes, including the Safe Schools Initiative, aimed at addressing insecurity in schools.
The police boss was quoted as urging school administrators to maintain close communication with security agencies so that incidents of security breaches would be attended to proactively.
Akese said, “CP Steve Yabanet acknowledged the existing synergy between the police and schools, particularly through initiatives like the Safe Schools programme. He encouraged school administrators to maintain close communication with security agencies, ensuring they have access to emergency contact numbers of law enforcement agents within their vicinity.
“This proactive approach, he emphasised, would facilitate prompt response to security incidents, thereby fostering a conducive environment for teaching and learning.”
