The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has reaffirmed the military’s commitment to working alongside other security agencies to ensure the safety and security of schools and children against various security threats.

He emphasised the importance of effective collaboration among security agencies, communities, and school administrators to provide adequate protection for educational institutions.

General Musa made this assurance on Thursday in Sokoto while addressing participants at a workshop titled “Safe Schools.”

The event, organized by the 8 Division of the Nigerian Army in Sokoto, focused on the theme “Providing a Secure and Safe Learning Environment for the Advancement of National Development.”

He stressed the necessity of creating a secure environment where Nigerian children can pursue their education without the fear of criminal activities.

Major General Emeka Onumajuru, Chief of Defence Training and Operations at the Nigerian Army Headquarters, emphasised the importance of the workshop in light of the ongoing attacks on schools across Nigeria since 2014.

He explained that the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope program and the federal government’s policy on creating safe, secure, and violence-free schools.

He further stated that the event was designed as a step-down training program, with participants expected to share the knowledge and experiences gained with others in their respective formations, educational institutions, and departments to broaden the impact and reach of the training.

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

”Education is the pillar of the society’s development that needed to be prioritised and ensure collective strategies to safeguard 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 nationwide.

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’s approach to a secure learning environment in Nigeria, emphasizing the need for adequate fencing, and security tips awareness among teachers and students in schools across Sokoto state.

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

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

Accordingly, Alfred shared experiences on the Northeast operations, modalities of Boko Haram abduction 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 highlighted the role of the military in the safe school programme in the 8 Division Garrison, calling for community support approaches, collaboration with sister agencies, and interventions given terrains and cultural challenges.

Earlier, the Special Adviser to Gov. Ahmad Aliyu on Carrier and Security Matters, Retired Col. Abdul Ahmad, assured the state government’s commitment to step down the training and provide the 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 the safety of citizens and the environment for the prosperity of the state and nation.” (The Nation)

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