The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has officially launched the Safe School Initiative in Benue State, urging schools, parents, and local communities to collaborate closely with law enforcement to ensure the safety of children within educational institutions.
Speaking at a Stakeholders’ Forum held in Makurdi with the theme “Strengthening Security Resilience and Integration of Host Communities,” the IGP emphasized the role of collective responsibility in safeguarding learning environments. He was represented by the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) for Zone 4, Zacharia Achinyan.
During the event, the IGP also inaugurated the Benue State Command’s School Protection Squad, a dedicated unit designed to bolster school security. He reiterated that the initiative is part of his broader commitment to securing students and educational institutions nationwide through technology-driven and intelligence-led policing.
“Our schools are not only centres of knowledge but also the breeding grounds for the future leaders of our nation. The safety of these institutions is therefore non-negotiable,” he stated. “I have directed all Commissioners of Police in the Zone to actively engage stakeholders to ensure our schools are secure.”
The IGP encouraged parents, educators, and community members to actively support the initiative. “We must collectively invest our time, resources, and commitment to building a strong culture of safety in our schools,” he said.
Benue State Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, welcomed the initiative, describing it as timely given the state’s ongoing security challenges such as cultism, robbery, kidnapping, and child trafficking.
“Benue has a large number of schools, and we must not allow criminals to exploit any situation to harm our children,” Emenari said. “Our children represent the future, and protecting them is a top priority.”
Governor Hyacinth Alia, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Deborah Aber, also pledged the state’s full support for the initiative. He outlined steps already taken by his administration to improve school security, including the launch of special security operations, distribution of motorcycles and vehicles to law enforcement agencies, and the establishment of a Schools Response Centre to coordinate emergency interventions.
The Safe School Initiative aims to strengthen school safety through community integration, rapid response mechanisms, and preventive security strategies, positioning Benue as a model for other states in ensuring secure and conducive learning environments.
