By Chizoba Njaka
The Anambra State Police Command has stepped up security measures around schools and other strategic locations across the state as pupils and students return for the new academic session.
The exercise, which is being carried out in line with the Inspector-General of Police’s Safe School Initiative, is designed to strengthen security around educational institutions and ensure a safe and conducive environment for teaching and learning.
In a statement issued in Awka on Sept. 16 by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the command said the operation was being coordinated under the supervision of the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, ACP Harrison Oruruo.
According to the statement, Police personnel, sister security agencies and other relevant stakeholders have been deployed to designated schools and strategic locations across the state to provide security and other necessary policing services.
The exercise also includes sensitisation of pupils and students on personal safety and security awareness, as well as assistance for school children to cross roads safely, particularly at locations with heavy vehicular and pedestrian movement.
The command said the deployment would further strengthen cooperation among the Police, school authorities, teachers, parents, guardians, host communities and other stakeholders in identifying, preventing and responding promptly to security threats around schools.
Personnel involved in the operation have been directed to maintain visible presence around school premises, monitor activities within and around educational institutions, assist pupils and students during peak arrival and closing periods, and respond promptly to security concerns.
The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting children, teachers, school authorities and other members of the school community. He urged school authorities, parents, guardians and students to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons, activities or emerging security concerns to the Police or other relevant security agencies.
CP Oji Ama stressed that security was a shared responsibility and called for sustained communication and credible information sharing among stakeholders. He assured Ndi Anambra that the Command would continue to strengthen security visibility, intelligence-led policing, community engagement and proactive response around schools across the state, while wishing pupils, students, teachers and other members of the school community a safe, peaceful and successful academic session.
Chizoba Njaka is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
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