…Says no child should go to school in fear

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Oyo State Command, has sensitised 65,432 students across 182 schools on safety and security as part of efforts to prevent school-related crimes and protect pupils and students in the state.

The campaign, conducted between July and September 2026 under the leadership of the State Commandant, Augustine Padonu, covered schools across the 33 local government areas of Oyo State, including communities in Ibadan, Saki, Igboho, Iseyin, Okeho and Iwere-Ile.

According to a statement by the command’s Public Relations Officer, SC Samuel Opebiyi, the outreach was coordinated by the Safe Schools Response Coordination Centre following the May 15, 2026 abduction of pupils and staff from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area.

The campaign focused on kidnapping prevention, personal safety, identifying and reporting suspicious persons and objects, drug abuse, cultism, bullying, gambling, peer pressure, gender-based violence and child rights.
Other areas covered included girl-child protection, restricting unauthorised movement within school premises, emergency response, evacuation drills and first aid. The command also promoted the establishment of Safe School Vanguard Clubs to encourage students’ participation in school security.

Some of the schools reached included Ibadan Grammar School, Molete, where 2,500 students were sensitised; Baptist Secondary School, Koso, Iseyin, with 2,200 students; Community Grammar School, Sasa Junior, with 2,210 students; and its senior section, with 2,020 students.

The exercise also extended to schools in communities with bushy and porous surroundings, including Koso, Igboho and Osengere, where officers educated pupils and students on recognising potential threats and reporting suspicious activities.

The NSCDC said the campaign involved collaboration with parent-teacher associations, school authorities, traditional rulers, non-governmental organisations and other security agencies.

Padonu said the safety of schoolchildren remained a priority, adding that the command was determined to contribute to creating an environment where pupils and students could learn without fear.

“The safety of our children is non-negotiable. After what happened in Oriire, we made a resolve that no child in Oyo State should go to school in fear,” he said.

He added that the Safe Schools initiative was a commitment to sensitising, training and protecting children, stressing that every child deserved to learn in a safe and secure environment.

Despite the reported reach of the campaign, the command identified operational challenges, including inadequate patrol vehicles for rapid response to remote schools, insufficient communication gadgets, a shortage of portable public address systems and inadequate printing, information technology and presentation facilities.

It also cited a lack of first-aid and emergency rescue kits, as well as the absence of a fully equipped Safe Schools Response Coordination Centre.

The command urged school owners and administrators to fence and illuminate their premises, provide adequate security, clear surrounding bushes and farms, regulate visitors’ access and engage licensed private guards where necessary.

It also appealed to the Oyo State Government, local governments, corporate organisations and individuals to provide logistical support to strengthen school protection beyond sensitisation activities.

Parents, teachers and residents were urged to report suspicious persons or activities around schools to the nearest NSCDC formation in the state.