By Abigael Joshua
The FCT Commissioner of Police (CP), Ahmed Sanusi, has pledged the FCT Police Command’s full commitment to protecting school children, teachers, and educational facilities.
Sanusi made the pledge while speaking at the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) National safe school unveiling and inauguration of school security data capturing exercise in Abuja on Friday.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that stakeholders deliberated on measures to strengthen school safety.
The CP said students required more than a sense of security, stressing the need for concrete measures to protect them from threats within and around school environments.
He described the PCRC’s initiative as timely and commendable, noting that greater success could be achieved through effective collaboration between the police and communities.
Sanusi said the police remained accountable for the safety and wellbeing of students and other citizens, adding that community participation would complement existing security efforts.
He assured the PCRC of the police’s continued assistance, including the provision of personnel and operational support to strengthen its school safety initiatives.
Sanusi said the police would work with stakeholders to establish appropriate response mechanisms, with a target of responding to emergencies within five minutes.
He urged stakeholders to sustain the initiative, assuring them of his accessibility and willingness to support efforts aimed at protecting students and strengthening security in schools.
The CP donated N1million towards the PCRC.
Dr Rufus Ebegba, Chairman of the PCRC, FCT Chapter, said the National Safe School Initiative would strengthen security and welfare of students, teachers and schools while addressing crime, substance abuse and cultism.
Ebegba urged PCRC members to provide useful information, support authorities and monitor communities responsibly, stressing that citizens’ participation was essential to building stronger security networks and reducing crime.
He also urged coordinators, journalists, educators, parents and stakeholders to support the initiative through collaboration, awareness, timely risk identification and information sharing to ensure safe learning environments.
Alhaji Mogaji Olaniyan, National Chairman, PCRC, said the Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu, supports the initiative and has directed that learning institutions should be protected.
Olaniyan said PCRC would deploy 10,000 volunteers to support the police, secure students’ transportation and engage schools, parents and communities, stressing collective responsibility was essential to preventing further attacks.
Mrs Maimuna Sanusi, Chairperson, Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA), FCT Chapter, has described a safe school as an environment where children can learn, grow and pursue their dreams with confidence.
She was represented by Mrs Blessing Paul, FCT POWA Public Relations Officer.
The chairperson assured residents of safer schools and better futures for children through partnership, collective responsibility and sustained commitment to their wellbeing.
She commended the PCRC for initiating the National Safe School Project, describing it as a laudable effort toward protecting children and promoting a secure learning environment.
“As Chairperson of POWA FCT Chapter, I am particularly delighted to support the PCRC National Safe School Project because the safety and wellbeing of our children is a responsibility we must all embrace.
“I sincerely appreciate the organisers for making me part of this global initiative and assure you of my support and commitment toward achieving its objectives,” she said.
The chairperson was also nominated as the Grand Patron of the PCRC National Safe School Club.
Mrs Dorothy Okwuenu, FCT President, National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, urged government to include private schools in safety programmes, noting they face security challenges despite providing essential education nationwide.
Okwuenu said private school proprietors were motivated by commitment to education rather than profit in spite of financial difficulties, and commended the initiative while calling for stronger support for schools.
Mr Ndagi Mohammed, Coordinator, FCT Safe School Initiative, said the system would facilitate rapid recording and sharing of school safety data, enabling stakeholders to identify challenges and respond promptly to emerging threats.
Mohammed said reliable data would help identify schools’ locations, security needs and areas requiring support, urging stakeholders to sustain the project, protect children and strengthen collaboration among schools, communities and police.
Dr Jiya Mohammed, President, FCT All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools, commended the safe-school initiative, describing it as impactful and urging its sustainability to protect students nationwide.
Mohammed appealed for the programme’s expansion to remote communities in Kwali, Kwaku and Gwadagwada, amongst others, stressing that support was needed to strengthen security and learning.(NAN)
Edited by Sadiya Hamza