The Police Command in Osun organised a ‘security of school’ stakeholder forum on Monday as part of its Safe School programme.
The two-day forum was themed “Strengthening Security Resilience and Integration of Host Communities In The Protection of Education.”
Mr Abayomi Shogunle, Commissioner of Police, Schools Protection Squad, Abuja, said attacks on schools in recent years had led to the kidnapping of students, school closures and increasing in out-of-school children.
Shogunle said the National Policy on Safety, Security and Violence-Free Schools in a 2021 report indicated that from 2012 to 2016, more than 600 teachers were killed in attacks on schools, while over 19,000 were displaced.
He said that in response to these challenges, the Nigerian Government, on December 31, 2019, signed the ‘Safe School Declaration Document’ alongside 118 other countries to ensure Nigeria has a safer and more secure learning environment.
He said the Federal Government officially informed the Police to launch the Safe School Initiative in 2024 to enable children affected by conflicts and insecurity to continue their education unhindered.
He said the forum aligned with the ‘National Plan on Financing Safe Schools in Nigeria,’ noting that “the plan has a national investment response aimed at protecting schools, learners, teachers and non-teaching staff from attack.”
Shogunle added that implementing the Safe School plan is in phases, with Osun State being one of the pilot states.
In his address, the Osun Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, said that the two-day forum was to enhance the safety and protection of schools in the state.
Gotan said that though Osun is ranked as one of the safest states in Nigeria, there are pockets of crisis in the schools, and the forum will look at ways to tackle them.
In his remarks, Gov. Ademola Adeleke said education remains a top priority and that his administration will contribute to the implementation of the Safe School programme.
Adeleke, who was represented by his Deputy, Kola Adewusi, charged the Police with using technology to ensure students’ safety in their schools.
Adeleke reiterated the state government’s commitment to safe, sound and future-oriented student education.
