Nigerian Army, other security agencies move to secure, protect schools environment – CDS

By S A Sokoto

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa has said that the army will in synergy with other security agencies continue to ensure schools and children are safe and secured  against security challenges.

He said that effective synergy and measures among security agencies, communities and school managers have to be embraced to provide adequate protection for schools.

General Musa assured on Thursday in Sokoto while declaring open a workshop tagged- Safe Schools.

The theme of the workshop organised by the 8 Division of Nigerian Army Sokoto is ” Providing a Secure and Safe Learning Environment for Advancement of National Development”

He noted that a secured and better environment must be provided for Nigerian children to be able to acquire education without fear of criminals.

Speaking, Chief of Defence Training and Operations, Nigerian Army Headquarters, Maj. Gen. Emeka Onumajuru, said that the workshop became imperative in view of the incessant attacks on schools across Nigeria since 2014 while explaining that it was in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope programme and Federal Government’s policy on safe, secure and violent-free schools initiative.

He said the event was prepared as a stepdown training with participants would educate others in their formations, educational cycles and departments in order to expand the scope of knowledge and experiences learnt.

” It was an avenue to provide key enablers required to reach the locations of some of the schools, such as motorcycles and communication gadgets, so as to respond rapidly when the need arises.

” Education is the pillar of the society’s development that needed to be prioritize and ensure collective strategies to safe guard learning environment for future generations, ” Onumajuru said.

Also,  the Acting General Officer Commanding (GOC), 8 Division Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Ibikunle Ajeso, called for collective  efforts among all the stakeholders to secure schools across the state.

Ajose, who was represented by Garrison Commander, Brig-Gen. Alexandra Tawasimi, appealed to the participants to make the best use of the workshop to ensure that the objective of the safe schools initiative was achieved.

The lead presenter, Brig. Gen. Monday Lafal, dwelled on society approach to a secure learning environment in Nigeria, emphasizing the need for adequate fencing, security tips awareness among teachers and student in schools across Sokoto state.

Lafal said immediate community members alerting security personnels, combined surveillance initiatives and would facilitate prompt responses to tackle any unforeseen circumstances.

In his presentation on operationalizing the safe school programme; the role of stakeholders, Mr Charles Alfred, highlighted the need for multifaceted approach to tackle security challenges in the school system.

Accordingly, Alfred shared experiences on the Northeast operations, modalities of Boko Haram obduction of students strategies, chain and manner of organized crimes that comprised banditry, kidnappings and other criminalities in the country.

While noting that separate groups worked to execute the crimes within an organized system, Alfred said defeating the syndicate, security agencies and community members must be effectively organized.

However, in a similar presentation , the division Garrison Commander,  Brigadier General Tawasimi higlited the role of military in safe school programme in the 8 Division Garrison,  calling for community support approaches, collaboration with sister agencies and interventions in view of terrains and cultural challenges.

Earlier, the Special Adviser to Gov. Ahmad Aliyu on Carrier and Security Matters, Retired Col. Abdul Ahmad, assured state government’s commitment to stepdown the training and provide necessary support to ensure safe schools.

The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad  Sa’ad Abubakar, represented by Alhaji Abdullahi Dodo, Iyan-Sokoto, commended the Nigerian Army on the initiative and assured maximum support to the programmes.

” We are always ready to key into efforts being piloted at ensuring safety of citizens and the environment for the prosperity of the state and and nation”

Meanwhile, the workshop was climaxed by the presentation of motorcycles and communication gadgets to agencies and school communities amidts participants drawn from across the Police, NSCDC, members of the armed forces, religious and traditional leaders as well as grassroots groups.