The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, has called for collective measures among security agencies, community members and school managers to secure schools against security challenges.
Musa made the call on Thursday at a safe school workshop, with the theme “Providing a secure and safe learning environment for the advancement of national development,” organised by the 8 Division of the Nigerian Army, Sokoto.
He said the Armed Forces of Nigeria would continue to ensure the protection of children, in collaboration with other security agencies.
The army chief noted a secure and better environment must be provided for Nigerian children to be able to acquire education without fear of criminals.
Commissioner of Police arrive at Ojota Park during the protest #endbadgovernanceinnigeria | Punch0:06 / 1:01
In his address, the Chief of Defence Training and Operations, Nigerian Army Headquarters, Maj Gen Emeka Onumajuru, said the workshop was in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope programme and the Federal Government’s policy on safe, secure and violent-free school initiative.
Onumajuru noted that the workshop became imperative given the incessant attacks on schools across Nigeria since 2014.
He said the workshop aimed at sensitising troops on the rudiments of inter-agency collaboration to protect schools against attacks.
“The training is an avenue to provide key enablers required to reach the locations of some of the schools, such as motorcycles and communication gadgets, to respond rapidly when the need arises.
“Education is the pillar of the society’s development that needs to be prioritised and ensure collective strategies to safeguard the learning environment for future generations,” Onumajuru said.
In his welcome address, the acting General Officer Commanding 8 Division, Nigerian Army, Brig Gen Ibikunle Ajose, called for collaborative efforts among all the stakeholders to secure schools across the state.
Ajose, who was represented by the Garrison Commander, Brig Gen Alexandra Tawasimi, appealed to the participants to make the best use of the workshop to ensure that the objective of the safe school initiative was achieved.
The lead presenter, Brig Gen Monday Lafal, spoke on society’s approach to a secure learning environment in Nigeria, stressing the need for adequate fencing, and security tips awareness among teachers and students in schools across Sokoto State.
Lafal said immediate community members alerting security personnel and combined surveillance initiatives would facilitate prompt responses to tackle any circumstances.
Earlier, the Special Adviser to Governor Ahmad Aliyu on Career and Security Matters, Col Abdul Ahmad (retd), assured the security agencies of the government’s commitment to the training, adding that it would provide the necessary support to ensure safe schools.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, represented by the Iyan-Sokoto, Alhaji Abdullahi Dodo, commended the Nigerian Army for the initiative and promised support to the programmes.
At the event, motorcycles and communication gadgets were presented to security agencies, including the police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Armed Forces and school communities.
