Pulse.ng : Safe School: Our schools must be secure, protected against criminals -CDS

By Mohammed Tijjani

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa , said a secured and better environment must be provided for Nigerian children to be able to acquire education without fear of criminals.

Musa gave the assurance while declaring open a two-day workshop on safe school workshop held at headquarters of 1 Division, Nigerian Army on Tuesday in Kaduna.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the workshop was ‘Providing a Secure and Safe Learning Environment for the Advancement of National Development’.

He said the Armed Forces of Nigeria would continue to do all within their strength to ensure the protection of children, in collaboration with other security agencies.

The CDS was represented by Maj.-Gen. Emeka Onumajuru, the Chief of Defence Training and Operations Defence Headquarters.

He explained that in line with Federal Government’s policy on safe, secure and violent-free schools, the workshop became imperative in view of the incessant attacks on schools across Nigeria since 2014.

Musa disclosed that the workshop was aimed at sensitising troops on the rudiments of inter-agency collaboration to protect schools against attacks.

The CDS also disclosed that it was an avenue to provide key enablers required to reach the locations of some of the schools, such as motorcycles and communication gadgets, so as to respond rapidly when the need arises.

“The Armed Forces of Nigeria are for Nigerians and will continue to do all within their strength to ensure the protection of our children, working with all the security agencies, “Musa said.

Earlier in his welcome address, the General Officer Commanding(GOC), 1 Division Nigerian Army Maj.-Gen. Mayirenso Saraso, called for collaborative efforts among all the stakeholders to secure schools across the state.

Saraso appealed to the participants to make the best use of the workshop to ensure that the objective of the safe schools initiative was achieved.

In his remarks, the overseeing Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Kaduna State, Mr Samuel Aruwan, said that between July 2021 to March, 2024 , Kaduna State has had its fair share of abductions of children from various schools.

NAN report that the workshop drew participants from the Police, NSCDC, members of the armed forces, religious and traditional leaders as well as resource persons.