By; Mohammed Kawu, Bauchi
Special Adviser on Security to the Bauchi State Government, retired AIG Ahmed Abdul Rahman has stressed the for the security setup to incorporate heads of students in schools across the state that should connect intelligence for security services.
He said, “There is the need to have collaborative connection between the operational or control room of the Nigeria Police Force and some targetted students in each hub to be identified by the Police, DSS, Civil Defence, and Army Intelligence Unit”.
According to him, those identified heads of students, including unions’ leaders should be given specific orientation so that at whatever time they see any suspicious movement or unfamiliar approach by any person, they should use the identified channel and inform the control room.
The Bauchi state government security chief was Thursday representing the State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed at the launching of IGP Safe School Initiative and formal inauguration of the State Command’s Schools Protection Squad (SPS) held at Hazibal Suites, Bauchi.
Security Special Adviser Abdul Rahman explained that there need to be such connection between the security agencies and educational institutions, companies and even non-governmental organizations that once there is a problem in those areas, they would only press the boton on the table or wall of the identified officers.
He stated, “Immediately you press the boton, it will ring and raise alarm in the police control room, and they would know from where the alert is coming, and immediately follow their own regimental body to go and nip the problem in the bud”.
The Retired but not tired AIG therefore advised that such a strategy or plan should be included and incorporated in the school protection squad activities in the Bauchi state educational institutions to protect the children learning right.
AIG Abdul Rahman noted that the schools protection squad could not have come at a better time than now when insurgents and the activities of bandits beclouded some areas of the state, and advised for the engagement of the programme end-users or beneficiaries whenever such forum is organized.
Also speaking, the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 12 in Bauchi, AIG Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu described the ‘Safe School Initiative’ as a pragmatic approach of collective policing style that protects the children right to learn in a school environment.
He explained that the educational security policy provides a detail framework of proactive and prompt response mechanisms to counter any emerging security threat and guarantee the safety and security of schools, students, teachers, non-academic staff and the host communities to ensure smooth implementation of teaching and learning in schools.
AIG Aliyu said, “Our schools are not only spaces of knowledge, but also, a nurturing ground for the future leaders of our country. This means that, the security of our schools determines the security of our future. Therefore, the schools must be adequately protected against all possible threat”.
Aliyu therefore rechouched the directive by IGP Kayode Egbetokum that all commissioners of police in the states to engage their various stakeholders to ensure that safety of schools is guaranteed in line with the overall National plan on Financing Safe Schools Initiative across the federation.
AIG Aliyu who represented IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokum at the occasion, explained that it is imperative Nigerian educational authorities and community leaders work hand in glove with the police and other security agencies to ensure that schools are fortified against any potential threat.
Earlier in a welcome address, Bauchi State Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu commended the Federal Government for its demonstrated dedication to this initiative through the provision of funding and resources to support the programme’s implementation across the states.
He said, “The ‘Safe School Squad’ will be guided by a comprehensive policy framework that delineates its mandate, functions, and operational protocols. This unit will work closely with educational institutions, communities, and other stakeholders to identify potential threats, respond
promptly to emergencies, and provide support to affected schools and communities”.
The commissioner explained that the creation of the “Safe School Squad” represents a significant advancement in their commitment to ensuring school safety, while the state squad will be rigorously trained and dedicated to tirelessly preventing attacks and effectively addressing emergencies as they arise.
CP Sani-Omoori Aliyu recalled that recent times have witnessed an alarming increase in kidnappings, attacks, and acts of violence targeting schools, students, and staff in the prone areas of the country.
These abhorrent incidents, he observed, have not only disrupted the educational process but also instilled fear and anxiety among parents, students, and the nation at large, which the police in collaboration with the federal government and various stakeholders responded with the evolvement of the ‘Safe School Programme’.
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