The Nigeria Police Force has assured parents of improved security in schools as the Police Community Relations Committee mobilises 10,000 volunteers and begins the deployment of closed-circuit television cameras across schools in Nigeria.
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, gave the assurance during the flag-off of the PCRC Safe School Initiative in Abuja on Thursday.
Disu, represented at the event by the Force Public Relations Officer, Anietie Iniedu, said the police had taken responsibility for strengthening security around schools and developing mechanisms that would enable institutions to respond quickly to emerging threats.
“I want to assure parents that our children are safe. The Nigeria Police Force has taken responsibility for strengthening the security of schools across the country,” the IGP said.
He added that the Force had developed internal warning and response mechanisms to enable schools to alert security authorities quickly when threats emerge.
The initiative comes amid concerns over the security of schools, particularly following warnings about the possible targeting of vulnerable locations, including educational institutions, by criminal and terrorist groups.
Speaking on the programme, the National Chairman of the PCRC, Mogaji Olaniyan, said the initiative was designed to strengthen community policing and increase community participation in protecting schools.
Olaniyan said the PCRC would deploy 10,000 volunteers nationwide in collaboration with the police, community leaders, vigilante groups and other stakeholders.
He said particular attention would be given to schools in rural and remote communities, which he identified as potentially vulnerable to attacks by criminal elements.
The committee has also commenced the deployment of CCTV surveillance cameras. The national PCRC is providing three cameras to support the initiative in the Federal Capital Territory, while the FCT PCRC will provide an additional three.
According to Olaniyan, the objective is to expand surveillance coverage to schools across the six area councils of the FCT before extending the model to other parts of the country.
He appealed to individuals and organisations to support the programme by providing CCTV cameras and other resources needed to improve surveillance around schools.
Olaniyan explained that the cameras would allow security authorities to monitor activities around schools, including periods when school premises are not occupied, and help with the early detection of suspicious movements.
The Safe School Initiative will also focus on protecting teachers and addressing social vices among young people through sustained engagement with pupils and students.
The PCRC chairman said the committee would establish stronger relationships between schools and former students who have become professionals, including lawyers and judges, to provide mentorship and serve as role models for pupils.
He added that the committee had begun engaging community leaders, vigilante groups and other stakeholders ahead of the resumption of schools.
“We are not working in isolation. We are engaging community leaders, vigilantes and other stakeholders. If you see something, say something,” Olaniyan said.
The development follows an earlier security alert by the police over possible attacks on schools and other vulnerable locations.
According to the police, intelligence available to the Department of Operations indicated increased mobilisation of terrorist elements for possible coordinated attacks on places of worship, schools, National Youth Service Corps orientation camps and other vulnerable locations.
The Force also said suspected Islamic State West Africa Province operatives and their local collaborators were conducting surveillance and reconnaissance of potential targets, with possible attacks coinciding with the resumption of the 2026/2027 academic session.
The PCRC said the Safe School Programme would remain a priority in its partnership with the Nigeria Police Force as efforts continue to strengthen security around schools nationwide.
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