AIG Adegoke Fayoade Presents Address At Inauguration Of Lagos State Police Command “Schools Protection Squad (SPS)

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE 

The AIG in charge of Zone 2 Command, AIG Adegoke Fayoade, presented a heart warming address at the launch of Police Safe Schools Initiative and inauguration of Lagos State Police Command “Schools Protection Squad (SPS).

In his address, AIG Adegoke Fayoade said, “I am delighted to welcome you all to this epoch making event, where we will witness the launch of the Inspector-General of Police Safe Schools Initiative and inauguration of Lagos State Police Command “Schools Protection Squad (SPS).”

“The Safe Schools is where a culture of safety for our students, teachers, staff and host communities are integrated in the security architecture of schools. It was born out of the Inspector-General of Police commitment towards ensuring the safety and security of our students and educational institutions.”

“Education is recognised as a cornerstone of individual and societal development across the world as it empowers individuals and paves the way for economic progress. Our schools invest substantial resources in building educational infrastructure and promoting literacy to ensure their populations can access quality education. However, this noble pursuit faces significant challenges, one of the most impactful being insecurity. The safety and security of tucational institutions have become a growing globally, with schools increasingly targeted in violent conflicts, gang violence, ideological extremism, and criminal operations.”

In the light of the foregoing, I have directed the two Commissioners of Police within the Zone to engage their various stakeholders in meetings to ensure that the safety of our schools is guaranteed.”

According to the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack (GCPEA), between 2020 and 2022, there were over 5,000 attacks on schools, students, and educators worldwide, affecting more than 22,000 individuals and disrupting the right to education across 28 countries.”

These acts are not isolated; they reflect a rising global trend where learning environments are being weaponized and turned into theatres of fear. From Boko Haram’s abductions in Nigeria to school shootings in the United States and bombings in Afghanistan, students are increasingly caught in the crosshairs of violence. The psychological scars, interrupted education, and community displacements that follow such incidents are long-lasting and undermine national development.

School insecurity is not only a breach of the right to education it is a direct threat to global peace and human capital development.”

” It challenges the international commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Ensuring Quality Education) and Goal 16 (Promoting Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). Other global actors such as Israel, and the United States of America,

‘ like Nigeria scale up protection and are demonstrating proactive models that combine law enforcement, police, innovation and community engagement to fortify school safety.

It is imperative that our educational authorities and community leaders work hand in glove with the Police and other security agencies, to ensure that our schools are fortified against any potential threats and as we launch the Schools Protection Squad, we mark a significant stride towards an all-inclusive approach to school safety.

As part of this initiative, training programs will be instituted for Educators, Administrators, and Security Personnel, who will in turn leverage on the acquired skills to recognize and respond to security threats. We will also make use of modern technology and intelligence led Policing to ensure proactive law enforcement presence around our schools. It is worthy to mention that perimeter fencing of schools, especially schools in isolated areas, or in proximity to creeks and lagoon, including provision of CCTV camera or monitored by surveillance drones will go a long way in securing our schools.

The two-day Stakeholders strategic forum on security of schools in Lagos State promises to be an interactive and all-inclusive session that will ensure effective partnership for community resilience to protect our

schools.

In conclusion, I urge our Schools, parents, and communities, to work in consonance with security agencies, as we champion the cause of security, safetyand wellbeing, for all our children. We must invest our efforts, resources, and our hearts into fostering a culture of safety in our schools.

Thank you and God bless you.”