Police Assure Parents of Children’s Safety as Safe School Initiative Begins Nationwide

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has assured parents across Nigeria that the Nigeria Police Force is taking steps to strengthen security around schools and protect children from potential attacks.

Disu gave the assurance on Thursday in Abuja during the flag-off of the Police Community Relations Committee’s (PCRC) Safe School Initiative.

Represented at the event by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Iniedu, the Inspector-General said the police had assumed greater responsibility for securing schools nationwide and had developed internal warning and response mechanisms to enable school authorities to quickly alert security agencies to emerging threats.

“I want to assure parents that our children are safe. The Nigeria Police Force has taken responsibility for strengthening the security of schools across the country,” Disu said.

He explained that the initiative had become necessary amid concerns over the increasing targeting of vulnerable locations, including schools and places of worship, by criminal and terrorist groups.

As part of the programme, the PCRC is expected to mobilise 10,000 volunteers across the country and work with the police, traditional and community leaders, vigilante groups and other stakeholders to strengthen security around schools.

The National Chairman of the PCRC, Ibraheem Olaniyan, said the initiative was designed to deepen community policing by encouraging residents to take greater responsibility for the security of their communities.

According to him, the Inspector-General had directed the committee to move beyond supporting police formations and become more actively involved in protecting communities.

Olaniyan said the PCRC would particularly focus on schools in rural and remote areas, which he described as potentially vulnerable to attacks because of their locations.

The committee has also commenced the deployment of Closed-Circuit Television cameras to improve surveillance around schools.

The national PCRC has provided three cameras for schools in the Federal Capital Territory, while the FCT chapter is expected to provide three additional cameras.

The initiative is expected to expand surveillance coverage across schools in the six area councils of the FCT before being extended to other parts of the country.

Olaniyan appealed to individuals, organisations and other stakeholders to support the programme by providing CCTV cameras and other resources needed to improve security around schools.

He said the surveillance systems would enable security personnel to monitor activities around school premises, including during periods when the facilities were not occupied, while also helping authorities detect suspicious movements early.

The PCRC chairman added that the programme would prioritise the safety of teachers and also address social vices among young people through sustained engagement with pupils and students.

He said the committee would establish stronger links between schools and former students who had become professionals, including lawyers and judges, to provide mentorship and serve as positive role models for younger students.

Olaniyan further disclosed that the PCRC had begun consultations with community leaders, vigilante groups and other stakeholders ahead of the resumption of the 2026/2027 academic session.

The development comes against the backdrop of an earlier security alert issued by the police over intelligence suggesting possible attacks on schools and other vulnerable locations.

According to the alert, the police had received intelligence on the movement of armed elements from Katsina through Kaduna towards Plateau State, with the Department of Operations warning of increased mobilisation of terrorist elements for possible coordinated attacks.

The police also raised concerns over alleged surveillance and reconnaissance of potential targets by suspected Islamic State West Africa Province operatives and their local collaborators.

The police said schools, places of worship, NYSC orientation camps and other vulnerable locations could be targeted, with possible attacks coinciding with the resumption of the new academic session.

With schools preparing to reopen, the Safe School Initiative is expected to strengthen collaboration between security agencies and local communities, improve early-warning systems and enhance surveillance around educational institutions.

Authorities are also urging communities to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to the appropriate security agencies.

koikimedia Bringing the World 🌎 Closer to Your Doorstep

Join us on our WhatsApp Platform @KOIKIMEDIA NEWS YOUR PAGE