Police deploy 60 operatives to schools in Gombe State over Insecurity

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Police deploy 60 operatives to schools in Gombe State over Insecurity

The Nigeria Police Force on Wednesday launched the School Protection Squad in Gombe.

According to the National Coordinator and Commissioner of Police in charge of the SPS, Dr Abayomi Shogunle, no fewer than 60 officers have been deployed to lead the fight against attacks on schools and ensure the safety of students and teachers in Gombe state.

He said the officers are tasked with proactive patrols, intelligence gathering, and rapid response to threats within and around schools across Gombe state.

He decried incessant attacks which has disrupted learning and led to the killings in many parts of the country.
from Punch Nigeria

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"We have not heard of or recorded an attack on students in schools in Gombe state, that is a good thing. However, one of the ideas of the SPS is to be proactive in preventing the attacks, rather than reacting to incidents after they have occurred," Shogunle said.

He explained that officers deployed for SPS comprise specially trained officers.

He added that the initiative is part of the broader Safe School Initiative being coordinated by the National Safe School Response Coordination Centre to combat rising threats to educational institutions.

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He added that the officers, drawn from various units of the force, have undergone intensive training in school safety protocols, crisis response, and community engagement.
He added, "We need more of collaboration with between all agencies and stakeholders, any act of rivalry is a plus for the enemy of the state, therefore, we should collaborate more to be able to tackle this challenge with a common front.

The 60 officers deployed are to lead other officers and inter-agency collaboration. It does not mean that other officers and Police will not respond or contribute to the fight."

Speaking, National Coordinator of the National Safe School Response Coordination Centre, Halima Iliya had earlier explained that one of the objectives of the National Plan on Financing Safe Schools is to strengthen security resilience and integrate host communities in the protection of education.

Iliya recognised the gaps in physical security, in and around schools and host communities.

This, she said, ranged from a near absence of rapid response infrastructure to poor levels of security awareness among school administrators and other critical stakeholders.

She assured that the plan has incorporated a multi-level approach to providing responsive security coverage for host communities, schools, and other learning places.
from Punch Nigeria

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She enjoined stakeholders in Gombe to leverage the partnerships and partner more with a shared commitment to address security challenges.

"As we journey together on this noble path, we hold the firm belief that every school can be made a safe school," Iliya stated.

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