Benin: The Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Kayode Egbetokun, has launched the Nigeria Police Force School Protection Squad for Edo in Benin. Egbetokun, represented by Salman Garba-Dogo, Assistant Inspector General (AIG) in charge of Zone 5, Benin, described the school protection squad as a milestone in the force's ongoing commitment to safeguarding educational institutions in the country. The initiative was announced during a stakeholders' forum themed 'Strengthening Security Resilience and Integration of Host Communities in the Protection of Education'.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the squad will serve as a rapid response and preventive unit specifically trained to work with school communities. Their responsibilities include assessing threats, responding to emergencies, and building trust between students and law enforcement agencies. The squad aims to engage students, provide educational support on safety awareness, and foster a culture of vigilance and partnership. The I-G emphasized that the goal is to provide not just physical security but also emotional reassurance for students, teachers, and parents.
The initiative was developed in collaboration with the ministry of education, government, and the parents-teachers' association. The I-G stressed that school safety is a shared responsibility requiring unity, vigilance, and compassion. He encouraged students, educators, and families to partner with the police by sharing concerns, reporting suspicious activities, and engaging school officers to make schools safer and more resilient.
Governor Monday Okpebholo, represented by Deputy Dennis Idahosa, expressed alignment with the Federal Government's school protection vision. The governor highlighted that education is the foundation of future development and underscored the importance of addressing escalating challenges threatening the safety of children and their learning environments. To enhance security, the administration has embarked on constructing perimeter fencing of schools, deploying the state's security corps, and providing mandatory guidance and counseling services.
Commissioner of Police Dr. Abayomi Shogunle, the National Coordinator of the School Protection Squad, described the initiative as a community peace strategy designed to protect schools, empower students, and build trust between law enforcement and the community. Over 65 police officers from the Edo State Police Command have been trained to implement the school safety initiative across the state's senatorial districts. Shogunle explained that the force has a dedicated call center to receive and respond to calls from students, parents, and teachers, highlighting the importance of preventing crime rather than reacting to it.
The security and safety of schools have gained attention from the Federal Government due to security challenges such as kidnappings, homicide-related cases, and the destruction of school infrastructure. These issues have sometimes led to school closures, negatively affecting host communities.