Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has restated the need for effective synergy and collaboration from all stakeholders, including the federal, state and local governments, to tackle security challenges in the schools in the country.
The Commandant General of NSCDC, Dr Ahmed Audi, made the call in a remark at the closing ceremony of a capacity-building programme for the Safe Schools Response Team.
The team is composed of personnel from the agency, Vigilante Groups, and operatives of private guard companies hailing from the seven states within the Northwest geopolitical zone of the country.
The assembly was held in Kaduna and urged both state and local governments to lend their support to ensure the successful implementation of the Safe Schools project.
Represented by Assistant Commandant General, Training and Manpower, David Abi, the Commandant General 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 also pertinent to state that the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) of the Centre provides for the creation of state coordinating centres and local government response centres for effective and seamless operation.
“It is for this singular fact that I respectfully present on behalf of the Centre the request for the 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,“ Audi said.
The Civil Defence boss, who acknowledged the invaluable contributions of communities about credible information sharing, immediately 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 state levels and local government education authorities at the grassroots level,” he added.
He charged all participants to note the enormous task ahead, reminding them of their status and roles as ambassadors of the Centre and foot soldiers, respectively, who are in direct contact with the members of schools and host communities.
“You are also expected to exhibit a high sense of professionalism and dedication and to ensure effective synergy with other stakeholders if you are to achieve the desired result,” he stressed.
In his remarks, the Commander of the National Safe Schools Response Coordination Centre (NSSRCC), Tersoo Shaapera, while giving an overview of the centre, which was established on February 13, 2023, explained that it focuses mostly on preventive measures for the school children.
Also speaking in a keynote address, the Executive Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani, said security is important for the development of the country.
The Governor, who was represented by the Administrator of Kaduna Capital Territory, Mr Samuel Aruwan, decried that the state has had a bad experience with 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 cordial working collaboration among security agencies, warning that no one can succeed alone.
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.
In their goodwill messages, the General Officer Commanding, the 1Mechanise Division Nigerian Army, the Commissioner of Police and the Director of the Department of State Services assured the Corps and NSSRCC of their synergy and collaboration.
The pilot training for over 200 participants in the North-West, which is expected to be replicated in all geopolitical zones, had resource persons drawn mostly from the security circle and academia.
