The Nigeria Police Force in Bauchi State has inaugurated the Safe School Initiative Implementation task force as part of efforts to strengthen security around schools and protect students from growing security threats.
Speaking during the inauguration in Bauchi on Thursday, the Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, expressed concern over the increasing attacks and criminal activities targeting educational institutions across the country.
He said schools have become vulnerable to crimes such as banditry, kidnapping, violent attacks, cultism, drug abuse and other threats capable of disrupting academic activities and creating fear among students, teachers, parents and guardians.
According to the police commissioner, the Bauchi State Command remains committed to ensuring the safety of schools, stressing that protecting educational institutions should not be left to security agencies alone.
“It is in recognition of these challenges that the Inspector-General of Police directed commands across the country to strengthen security around schools and educational institutions through proactive policing, inter-agency collaboration, intelligence-led operations and stakeholders’ engagement,” Aliyu said.
He explained that state police commands across the country had established multi-stakeholder task force committees in compliance with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police to reinforce the implementation of the Safe Schools Initiative.
“We must work collectively to identify vulnerable areas, strengthen preventive measures, improve intelligence sharing, establish effective emergency response mechanisms, and ensure that our schools remain safe and conducive environments for teaching and learning,” he added.
The police commissioner urged members of the committee to carry out their assignment with patriotism, commitment and a strong sense of responsibility.
