In a significant move to bolster security around educational institutions, the Edo State Police Command has successfully trained over 65 officers under the Nigeria Police Force’s School Safety Initiative.
The Commissioner of Police, Shogunle, made this known during a briefing with journalists, noting that the officers have been strategically deployed across the three senatorial districts of the state to carry out response duties and sensitization campaigns aimed at safeguarding schools.
Shogunle explained that the training, initiated under the directive of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), focuses on preventive measures to address security threats in schools. He emphasized the importance of proactive policing in educational environments, stressing that it is “safer and cheaper to prevent crime from happening rather than being reactionary to security situations around schools.”
He further stated that the School Safety Initiative is designed to encourage collaboration between the police, school authorities, students, and the broader community to create a secure learning environment. As part of the initiative, trained officers will not only respond to threats but will also engage in continuous awareness and advocacy programs within schools to educate students and staff on safety measures.
The Edo State Police Command reassured the public of its commitment to prioritizing the protection of children and educational infrastructure, adding that the School Safety Initiative will serve as a model for other crime prevention strategies across the state.
The move comes at a time when concerns about the safety of schools have been heightened nationwide, following reports of security breaches in several parts of the country.
