NSCDC seeks collaboration on school security

COMMANDANT General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi, has restated the need for synergy of stakeholders to secure schools across the country.

Audi expressed worry at the recurring of attacks on schools and abduction of school children in some parts of the country despite measures deployed by the corps.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of a capacity building programme for Safe Schools Response Team comprising personnel of the NSCDC, vigilante groups and operatives of private guard companies from the seven states in the North-West geopolitical zone held at Correctional Service Staff College Barnawa-Kaduna, Audi maintained that states and local governments in the zone should support the Safe Schools Project.

Audi, represented by the assistant commandant general of Training and Manpower, Mr David Abi, explained that “the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the establishment of the National Safe Schools Response Coordination Centre (NSSRCC), provides for such assistance.

“It is for this singular fact that I respectfully present on behalf of the centre the request for a kind consideration for allocation of an existing structure within each of the state capitals in the northwest to serve as the Safe School Coordination Centres,” he stated.

The NSCDC boss, who acknowledged the contributions of the communities with regards to credible information sharing, directed state commandants to deploy undercover personnel to schools.

“I, therefore, direct all state commandants to immediately deploy undercover agents to schools and host communities. The officers should work in collaboration with ministries of education at the state levels and local government education authorities at the grassroots levels,” the CG added.

He charged all participants to note the enormity of the  task ahead, reminding them of their roles as ambassadors and foot soldiers who are in direct contact with the members of schools and host communities.

He urged them to exhibit professionalism and dedication and ensure synergy with other stakeholders so as to achieve the desired result.

The commander of the National Safe Schools Response Coordination Centre (NSSRCC), Dr Tersoo Shaapera, while giving an overview of the centre which was established on February 13, explained that it focuses more on preventive measures.

In a keynote address, the Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani, said security is important for the development of the country.

Represented by the administrator, Kaduna Capital Territory, Mr Samuel Aruwan, Sani decried that the state had had terrible experiences in the aspect of abduction and kidnapping in schools, but expressed hope in the safe Schools implementation programme.

The erstwhile pioneer Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, further expressed optimism on the success of the programme in the state following the existing collaboration among security agencies.

According to him, the training and renewed strategy would pave the way for safer schools in the state as he admonished the participants to utilise the skills acquired when deployed.