The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has launched the Nigeria Police Force School Protection Squad (SPS) in Edo State, aimed at strengthening security in educational institutions.
Speaking during a stakeholders’ forum held in Benin City, Egbetokun—represented by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 5, Benin, Salman Garba-Dogo—described the initiative as a milestone in the Force’s commitment to safeguarding schools nationwide.
The forum, themed “Strengthening Security Resilience and Integration of Host Communities in the Protection of Education,” underscored the importance of collaborative efforts in ensuring safe learning environments.
According to the IGP, the squad will function as a rapid response and preventive unit, specially trained to engage with school communities, assess threats, respond to emergencies, and foster trust between students and law enforcement.
“Their role goes beyond protection. They will provide educational support on safety awareness and promote a culture of vigilance and partnership. Our goal is not just physical security, but also emotional reassurance for students, teachers, and parents,” he said.
Egbetokun emphasized that the initiative was developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, state governments, and parents-teachers associations, reflecting the shared responsibility of securing educational spaces.
“Every child has the right to learn in an environment free from fear. We remain unwavering in our duty to protect that right,” he added.
He urged students, teachers, and parents to work closely with the police by reporting concerns and suspicious activities, stressing that community partnership is key to building safer schools.
Also speaking at the event, Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, represented by his deputy, Dennis Idahosa, expressed the state’s commitment to aligning with the Federal Government’s vision for school protection.
Okpebholo noted that education is not just a development pillar, but the foundation of the future, and securing schools is paramount.
“While the safety challenges facing our schools are national, they demand coordinated and inclusive responses like the one provided by this forum,” he said.
The governor added that the state government had commenced the construction of perimeter fences around schools, deployed the state’s security corps to the grassroots, and established mandatory guidance and counselling offices in schools to further bolster security measures.
The National Coordinator of the School Protection Squad and Commissioner of Police, Dr. Abayomi Shogunle, described the initiative as a proactive community peace strategy.
He revealed that over 65 officers from the Edo State Police Command have been specially trained to drive sensitization and rapid response across the state’s three senatorial districts.
“What the IGP is promoting is prevention over reaction. It is safer and cheaper to prevent crime than to respond after it has occurred,” Shogunle said.
He added that the Nigeria Police Force has established a dedicated call center to handle distress calls from students, parents, and teachers around the clock nationwide.
The move to safeguard schools comes amid growing concerns over kidnappings, violence, and vandalism affecting educational institutions and host communities across Nigeria.
