Halima Iliya, the national coordinator of the Safe Schools Initiative for Funding, announced that efforts are being made to involve hunters and vigilantes in gathering intelligence to prevent school attacks nationwide. During an interview with reporters in the capital city of Abuja, Ms. Iliya hinted at this information on April 14, 2024. In the upcoming months, there will be a focus on actively involving the community and educating students, parents, and teachers to raise awareness and promote positive behaviour.
As part of the strategy, they plan to provide training to local hunters, volunteers, and vigilantes in states where they are already established. In states where there are no registered vigilantes, the focus will be on promoting the utilization of young people. The involvement of young people in volunteering to protect their communities is essential for achieving success within a community. Ms. Iliya stated that their goal is to provide the necessary tools and support for communities to defend and protect themselves through enhanced security measures, including intelligence gathering, preventive strategies, and detection capabilities.
It is important for states to assume responsibility.
Ms Iliya revealed that utilizing the National Orientation Agency (NOA) platform is also being considered due to their extensive coverage in all local government areas. She explained that the training manuals would serve as a means to connect with local communities at a grassroots level, as they could be translated into various dialects to facilitate effective communication. The second phase of the safe schools national plan has been successfully completed, with all Security Agencies ensuring their staff are properly trained in implementing safe schooling practices that have now become an integral part of their operations.
They have sent out requests to all states, as well as the FCT, asking for details on the schools in the three senatorial zones and one tertiary institution that are considered to be the most vulnerable. It is important for states to assume responsibility, and they can customize the intervention accordingly in order to achieve a significant impact, she expressed. In his role as the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ahmed Audi emphasized the Corps’ commitment to safeguarding schools as the primary agency responsible for their protection.
NSCDC plays a crucial role in overseeing private guard companies.
Audi stated that the NSCDC is working closely with other Security organizations to ensure schools receive ample protection. He expressed confidence in the positive outcomes achieved by security agencies through coordination, cooperation, and collaboration, emphasizing that these three C’s are essential for success in recent operations. He believes they are heading in the right direction, he concluded. Mr. Audi believes that the NSCDC plays a crucial role in overseeing private guard companies (PGCs), which in turn have been effectively utilized in enhancing the country’s infrastructure security through the provision of valuable intelligence reports.
He mentioned the implementation of a security program within the school community that focuses on building relationships with various community stakeholders such as parents, teachers, traditional leaders, and youth leaders to address security concerns in a non-violent manner. Hameed Abodunrin, the lead of the National Safe School Response Coordination Centre (NSSRCC), further emphasized the importance of ongoing efforts to educate schools about the potential threats and hazards that arise from a lack of security awareness.
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In his statement, Mr. Abodunrin ensured that the sensitization programs were conducted with caution to prevent causing unwarranted fear among the public. He proclaimed that studies have revealed the dread of feeling insecure surpasses the actual experience of insecurity. In addition, he announced a forthcoming school safety program named SAFE, which will include interactive training sessions for students across Nigeria. As part of this initiative, every student will receive a compact book of essential security tips to carry with them.