Ag. IGP unveils operations procedure for Schools Protection Squad

IGP Olukayode Egbetokun the Acting Inspector-General of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) launched the Standard Operating Procedure manual for the Schools Protection Squad (SPS).

The launch follows the recent establishment of the SPS, a high-profile special police unit for the protection of schools and educational institutions across the country.

Speaking at the launch and a workshop on the Safe Schools Initiative for Strategic Police Managers on Wednesday, August 9, at the Abuja Continental Hotel, Abuja, Egbetokun noted that the initiative will commence with 18 pilot states that are more vulnerable, including the Federal Capital Territory, Egbetokun assured that the Nigeria Police Force will diligently undertake the responsibility of safeguarding educational institutions against potential harms and threats while urging all stakeholders to support the Federal Government, the police, and other partners for the achievement of the initiative

“This Standard Operating Procedure spells out the organisational framework of the unit, procedures for mobilisation, and code of conduct for officers assigned to the unit.”

“It equally provides procedures for collaboration with other security agencies to ensure a coordinated approach in tackling threats to schools and educational institutions,” Egbetokun said.

The Acting IGP further enumerated some of the strategies to be employed by the NPF in the achievement of the mandate of the SPS.

These include the generation of information and development of intelligence, community policing partnerships, police-public cooperation, inter-agency collaboration, security and administration of Internally Displaced Persons, deployment of logistic assets, humanitarian services, as well as training for school managers/teachers and members of the host communities on their roles in emergencies.