Police launch Safe Schools Programme in Benue

The Benue State Police Command and the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) have launched a Safe Schools Programme aimed at strengthening security around schools and protecting pupils, students, teachers and educational facilities across the state.

The programme was launched at Government Model Secondary School, High Level, Makurdi, with stakeholders from the Ministry of Education, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), PCRC, school authorities, students and pupils in attendance.

The state Commissioner of Police, CP Cletus Nwadiogbu, described school safety as a collective responsibility requiring the active participation of security agencies, government institutions, school authorities, parents and communities.

Nwadiogbu commended the PCRC for initiating the programme and acknowledged the efforts of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, in supporting the initiative.

He assured the PCRC and other stakeholders of the command’s continued support, urging pupils, students and school personnel to remain security-conscious and promptly report suspicious activities and other security concerns to the police or appropriate authorities.

The police commissioner said closer cooperation between the police, schools and communities was necessary to strengthen security awareness and prevent threats within and around educational institutions.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mrs Helen Nabativ, who represented the Commissioner for Education, expressed the ministry’s commitment to supporting initiatives designed to provide safe and conducive learning environments for children across the state.

Also, the Permanent Secretary, SUBEB, Mrs Bibian Tyoishi, who represented the board’s commissioner, pledged to support efforts aimed at improving security in and around schools.