…Mobilises stakeholders on proactive security
…IGP, CPs stress urgency as school attacks rise globally
The Nigeria Police on Monday launched a major security initiative in Lagos State aimed at bolstering the protection of schools, students, and staff. The high-level stakeholders’ forum, held at the POWA Hall in Ikeja, also marked the formal commencement of training for the newly established School Protection Squad (SPS) under the Lagos State Command.
The programme seeks to combine law enforcement, community vigilance, and advanced surveillance technologies to tackle rising threats to education, including terrorism, abduction, gang violence, and ideological extremism.
Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, said the initiative stems from the urgent need to defend the education sector from becoming, in his words, “theatres of fear.” He was represented at the event by Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Adegoke Fayoade.
Citing global data, the IGP revealed that between 2020 and 2022, more than 5,000 school attacks were documented worldwide, affecting over 22,000 learners in 28 countries.
“From Boko Haram’s abductions in Nigeria to school shootings in the United States, students are now targets. These attacks cause lasting trauma and jeopardise national progress,” he noted.
Egbetokun announced that he has instructed the Commissioners of Police in Lagos and Ogun States to intensify collaboration with community leaders and implement robust, coordinated school safety frameworks. A 24-hour emergency response line, 08077357777, was also launched for use by schools under threat.
The SPS will be outfitted with intelligence-led resources, including surveillance drones, CCTV infrastructure, and specialised training focused on early threat detection and response. The IGP also advocated for standardised perimeter fencing, especially for institutions in remote or high-risk areas.
Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, described the initiative as a fundamental responsibility, stressing that schools must remain “safe havens where learning can flourish without fear.”
“This forum and the SPS training are bold, proactive steps. We are strengthening security, deepening collaboration, and assigning dedicated personnel to protect our children and their teachers,” he said.
Head of the national SPS, CP Abayomi Shogunle, drew a connection between insecurity and Nigeria’s growing number of out-of-school children. He pointed to recurring kidnappings, school facility attacks, and other violent incidents as key drivers of educational disruption.
He added that the stakeholders’ engagement supports the federal government’s broader national strategy to fund safer schools, lower dropout rates, and improve Nigeria’s Human Capital Index (HCI) rating.
The two-day forum attracted a wide range of participants, including traditional leaders, education administrators, security professionals, and representatives from civil society. Attendees were encouraged to work closely with law enforcement to reinforce school safety.
“Education is not only a fundamental right but also a matter of national security. The time to act is now. We must strengthen school environments, mobilise community support, and ensure our students can learn in safety,” the IGP concluded.