In a decisive move to bolster the security of Nigeria’s learning environments, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has inaugurated the Safe School Protection Squad in Delta State, pledging swift action against threats targeting educational institutions across the country.
The launch, which also marked the opening of a two-day stakeholders’ forum, brought together security experts, educators, traditional leaders, students, and civil society groups.
The event centered around the theme “Strengthening Security Resilience and Integration of Host Communities in the Protection of Education.”
Represented by Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 5, AIG Salman-Dogo Garba, the IGP stressed the urgency of protecting schools from criminal attacks.
“The Safe School Protection Squad is the heartbeat of our nationwide safe school initiative,” Egbetokun declared.
“Its mandate is clear — protect learning spaces, respond rapidly to threats, and guarantee that the right to education remains unshaken by criminality.”
Highlighting the nation’s pressing security challenges, especially those afflicting the education sector, CP Abayomi Shogunle, the national coordinator of the Safe School Protection Squad, gave a stirring keynote address.
“From kidnappings to vandalism and even closures of schools, the educational sector has faced relentless threats,” he said.
“Our government’s signing of the Safe School Declaration in December 2019 affirms our commitment to reversing this trend. Education is not optional — it is the foundation of our national development.”
Backing the initiative, Delta State Governor Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Kingsley Emu, lauded the Nigeria Police for prioritizing the protection of students and staff.
“We are impressed by this proactive initiative from the police. No investment in security is too much when it concerns the future of our children,” he stated.
In addition to the squad’s deployment, the Nigeria Police announced the establishment of a nationwide command and control center based at the Force Headquarters in Abuja. A 24-hour emergency hotline — 08077357777 — is now active for reporting school-related security concerns anywhere in Nigeria.
Police Public Relations Officer, SP Edafe Bright, in a press briefing, affirmed the Delta State Command’s full readiness to ensure the safety of all educational institutions in the state.
“Our officers are trained, our communities are informed, and the synergy with sister agencies is stronger than ever. The safety of our children will not be compromised,” he said.
The stakeholders’ forum featured expert-led training sessions and collaborative dialogue aimed at fostering stronger community involvement in school protection strategies, further cementing the collective resolve to secure Nigeria’s future through safe education.
