Police launch campaign to tackle cultism, enhance security in Imo secondary schools

Imo State Police Command, in line with the directives of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olukayode Egbetokun, has organised a one-day workshop targeted to enhance security and tackle cultism and other social vices in education institutions in the state.

The workshop, tagged, ‘Safer School’, which has in attendance, heads of educational institutions including Principals, Teachers, schools’ functionaries, Chairmen of Parent Teachers Association, PTA, and students drawn across all schools in the state was held at the Officers’ Mess, Command’s Headquarters, Owerri on Thursday.

Speaking at the workshop with the theme, “Achieving a Secured and Conducive Learning Environment for every Child in Imo State”, the state Police Commissioner, CP Aboki Danjuma said the workshop was designed to provide opportunity to enlighten members of secondary school community with common safety tips, “that will enhance the security of their students and educational facilities.

According to him, “safe and secure learning environment is one of the most fundamental need of any school. With excellent educators, cutting edge technology, and superior curriculum, without a safe and secure learning environment, the school will be meaningless. Hence, students can only learn, grow, thrive or excel in a safe environment.”

He said, “this workshop is a forum for the school managers in the Imo State to establish a synergy with the police to create a safe and secure learning environment in our schools.

“It is my firm belief that this workshop will equip personnel of the Command with necessary knowledge to effectively respond to the security challenges facing educational institutions in the state. At the end of the workshop, Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers, DPOs, will replicate similar training at their respective Divisions and emplace robust patrols around the vulnerable, primary, secondary schools, and tertiary institutions in the state.”

“Finally, I encourage the general public to support the state government, the police and other stakeholders for the actualization of this important initiative. Through collaborative efforts, we can build a robust education system that guarantees a secured and conducive learning environment for every child in Imo State.”

Also speaking,to newsmen shortly after the workshop, Mr. Chiedu Emelizie, representing the Commander, NDLEA, Imo Command; Barr. Chinyere Ibe, Permanent Secretary, Imo State Ministry of Education, Rev. Basil Njoku, Principal, Owerri City School, (Junior Section), and some students, Agunkwo Anthony of Owerri City School, Onuekwusi Nathan, Government Secondary School, Owerri and Onuoha Onyinyechi, Imo Girls Secondary Schoool, Ikenegbu, all applauded the police for the initiative.

They said the initiative among other benefits would complement the efforts of school managements and other concerned stakeholders to tackle cultism and other security menace with the schools in the state as well as enhance education system in the state.

Highlights of the workshop included lectures delivered by ACP Micheal Abattam, Area Commander, Owerri Urban on measures to combat cultism in schools; Safety and Security tips by ACP Livinus Nwaiwu in-charge of X-Squad, Imo Police Command and special interactive session between the CP and participatory students and school management staff.