By The Nation
The police yesterday held a stakeholders鈥 forum at the POWA Hall, Ikeja on the security of schools in Lagos State.
Organised by the Police鈥檚 School Protection Squad (SPS) at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, the two-day event also saw the commencement of training of the Lagos State Command鈥檚 SPS.
The Nation reports that by this action, Nigeria joins the list of global actors like the United States of America (USA) and Israel that have upscaled their protection of schools and demonstrating proactive models that combine law enforcement, police, innovation and community engagement to fortify school safety.
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Speaking at the event, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, said the initiative was borne out of the desire to ensure the safety and security of pupils and educational institutions in the light of trends of attacks across the globe.
Egbetokun, who was represented by the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 2, Adegoke Fayoade, noted the safe schools programme integrates the culture of safety for pupils, teachers, staff and host communities, adding that all parties must be involved in the security architecture of schools.
Recognising the vulnerability of pupils and educational infrastructure in the light of violent conflicts, gang violence, ideological extremism and criminal operations, whose perpetrators see schools as soft targets, the IGP said he already directed the Commissioners of Police in Lagos and Ogun states, to engage their various stakeholders in meetings towards guaranteeing safety of schools.
Quoting statistics from the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack (GCPEA), the IGP said between 2020 and 2022, over 5,000 attacks were recorded on schools, students and educators worldwide, which affected more than 22,000 individuals and disrupted the right to education across 28 countries.
鈥淭hese acts are not isolated; they reflect a rising global trend where learning environments are being weaponized and turned into theatres of fear. From Boko Haram鈥檚 abductions in Nigeria to school shootings in the United States and bombings in Afghanistan, students are increasingly caught in the crosshairs of violence.
鈥淭he psychological scars, interrupted education and community displacements that follow such incidents are long-lasting and undermine national development.
鈥淪chool insecurity is not only a breach of the right to education; it is a direct threat to global peace and human capital development. It challenges the international commitment to Sustainable Development Goal4 (Ensuring Quality Education) and Goal 16 (Promoting Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions). It is imperative that our educational authorities and community leaders work hand in glove with the police and
other security agencies, to ensure that our schools are fortified against any potential threats and as we launch the Schools Protection Squad, we mark a significant stride towards an all-inclusive approach to school safety,鈥 Egbetokun said.