Safe School Response calls for protection of educational institutions

Oru Leonard

CSC Tersoo Shaapera, Commander of National Safe Schools Response Coordination Centre (NSSRCC) has expressed confidence in the capabilities and contributions of members of schools’ communities.

Commander of the Centre made the statement while speaking at a press briefing in Doma Town, Doma Local Government Area of Nasarawa state.

Shaapera described collaboration with the public as crucial for the success of the Safe Schools implementation project.

He noted that such collaboration by the public was crucial for the success of the project, saying, “we must all unite against anything that will affect teaching and learning process in any school whether the ones in urban, semi-urban and rural areas.

“Our interest at the NSSRCC is to ensure the protection of schools in remotest villages, border communities and those in city centers with support and collaboration of all and sundry, the goal is realizable.

“All we need to do is to demonstrate the willingness and support of what the federal government has started as being strengthened by some state governments,” he said.

Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi,mni, OFR Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) appreciated the support of all security agencies in the implementation of the Safe Schools Project, most especially the Nigerian Army and Department of State Services.

The Commandant General explained that such collaborative efforts have enabled the Centre to foil many attempts to attack schools, reiterating that such synergy should be sustained by all state actors and other stakeholders to confront the menace.

Speaking earlier at the Palace of Andoma of Doma, the Nasarawa State Commandant of the Corps, Abbas Bappa Mohammed said the NSCDC delegation was at the place to intimate the Royal Father of the press briefing/sensitisation workshop and seek his royal blessings.

The Royal Father, Alhaji Ahmadu Aliyu Oga-Onawo described the establishment of the centre in response to security as proactive and assured of his support and that of his subjects.

The Royal Father said that the desire of every parent is to have their children safe in schools, everywhere they are, noting that when education is acquired by children, they will contribute to national development.

In an address of welcome, the Council’s Chairman, Arc Ahmed Sarki Usman appreciated a coordinated response of all security agencies in his council which resulted in the safe rescue of over 70 per cent of school pupils kidnapped on 20th January, 2023 but were safely rescued on 3rd February, 2023.

Usman was overwhelmed by the gesture of NSCDC which has put up a Rapid Response in the area, therefore pledged his council’s support to the Corps.

The event was attended by members of the traditional institution, teachers, students, other security agencies, stakeholders and the media.

(NSCDC NHQ Media)