Benue Police Launch Safe School Initiative to Protect Students and Secure Learning Environments
The Inspector General of Police (IG), Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, on Thursday unveiled the Safe School Initiative alongside the Benue Police Command School Protection Squad in Makurdi, signaling a renewed commitment to safeguarding students and educational institutions across the state.
In his keynote speech, Egbetokun emphasized the urgency of collaboration between educational authorities, community leaders, and security agencies to protect schools within their areas. “The Safe School Initiative is where a culture of safety for our students, teachers, staff and our communities at large is ensured,” he said.
Highlighting the critical role schools play beyond education, the IG noted, “Our schools are not only sanctuaries of knowledge, but also a nurturing ground for the future leaders of our country. This means that the security of our schools determines the security of our future. Therefore, they must be protected against all possible threats.”
To this end, Egbetokun revealed he had directed all Commissioners of Police across zones to engage stakeholders in meetings aimed at guaranteeing school safety. Represented at the event by AIG Zone 4, Mr. Zacharia Achinyan, the IG also underscored the police force’s intent to deploy modern technology and intelligence-led policing strategies to maintain a proactive presence around schools.
He urged the cooperation of schools, parents, and communities, stressing, “We must invest our efforts, resources, and our hearts into fostering a culture of safety in our schools.”
The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Emenari Ifeanyi, welcomed participants to the stakeholders’ forum titled “Strengthening Security Resilience and Integration of Host Communities,” describing it as timely given the security challenges Benue has faced, including cultism, robbery, kidnapping, child trafficking, and recent attacks.
“Benue has many schools and we must not allow criminally-minded individuals to take advantage of any situation to harm our children. Our children are our future and must be protected,” Ifeanyi said.
In his remarks, Governor Hyacinth Alia assured that the state government is taking active measures to provide safe learning environments. He highlighted initiatives such as the launching of special security operations, the distribution of motorcycles and vehicles to bolster conventional security agencies, and the construction of the State Schools’ Response Centre for coordinating emergency situations.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Deborah Aber, Governor Alia’s message reaffirmed the government’s commitment to school security as a top priority.
The launch of the Safe School Initiative thus marks a critical step toward ensuring that Benue’s educational institutions become safer havens for students and educators alike.
