Anambra Police Increase Security Around Schools as Students Return

(Police Emblem. Photo by Aljazirah Nigeria News)

The Anambra State Police Command has started increased security presence in schools and key locations across the state as the new academic session begins.

The police spokesman said the move follows the Inspector-General of Police's Safe School Initiative.

The operation, supervised by the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, involves deploying police personnel, other security agencies and stakeholders to schools and strategic locations.

The deployment aims to strengthen security around schools, teach pupils and students about personal safety, help school children cross roads safely and provide other policing services to keep learning environments safe and peaceful.

The police are also using the exercise to work closer with school authorities, teachers, parents, guardians, host communities and other stakeholders to identify security threats early, prevent problems and respond quickly to any issues around schools.

Officers deployed for the exercise have been instructed to stay visible, watch what happens inside and around school environments, help pupils and students especially during arrival and closing times, and respond quickly to security concerns.

The Commissioner of Police reaffirmed the command's commitment to protecting children, teachers, school authorities and the school community.

He urged school authorities, parents, guardians and students to stay alert and immediately report suspicious persons, activities or security concerns to police or other security agencies.

The commissioner said security is everyone's responsibility and called on all stakeholders to communicate well with police and other security agencies and provide useful information for quick response.

He assured residents that the command would keep building security presence, use intelligence-based policing, work with communities and respond quickly around schools across the state.

The command wished all pupils, students, teachers and school community members a safe, peaceful and successful academic session.