In a renewed effort to ensure the safety and security of schools in the Southwest region, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (

NSCDC

) has trained a Safe Schools Response Team personnel under the National Safe Schools Response Coordination Centre (NSSRCC) to tackle attacks on schools in the country, through collaboration among security agencies.

The NSCDC Commandant General, Dr. Ahmed Audi, said the project was a critical component of the implementation strategy of the National Plan on Safe Schools developed by the government to mobilise synergy among security agencies and relevant stakeholders to protect schools and create a secure environment for teaching and learning.

He made this known at the closing ceremony of the  Capacity Building Programme for the Safe Schools Response Team in the South West, tagged as ‘Exercise Safe Schools 2023,’ held at 2 Division Nigeria Army, Adekunle Fajuyi Cantonment, Ojoo in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

Audi, who was represented by Deputy Commandant-General, Technical, Shem Obafaiye, said the idea was to prevent attacks and provide protection for schools and host communities, described schools as critical national assets and infrastructure.

He described schools as critical national assets and infrastructure.

He added that  since security agencies had the same goals to bring about a peaceful country, it would be important for them to work together by sharing intelligence to tackle criminalities.

Commander of the National Safe Schools Response Coordination Centre (NSSRCC), Dr. Tersoo Shaapera, and the Assistant Commandant General of Training at NSCDC, David Abi, noted the need for collaboration and coordination in implementing the safe school project would protect schools from attacks and ensure a seamless learning process for Nigerian students.

The Commissioner of Education, Science and Technology, Prof Abdulwaheed Soliu, commended NSCDC for the training and encouraged them to empower teachers and others within the school community with the appropriate skills to respond to emergencies.

Present at the event were the GOC, 2 Division, Major-General Bamidele Alabi, represented by the Chief of Staff, Brig.-Gen. Beyidi Martins; heads of other security agencies in Oyo State and the commandants of NSCDC from the South West states.