The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has launched the Schools Protection Squad (SPS) in Kano state to safeguard schools, students, and teachers from kidnappers and armed bandits. The 60-man squad was inaugurated by the Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Gumel, at the police command headquarters in Kano.
The SPS is an initiative of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Ebegtokun, aimed at providing a safe environment for schooling and protecting schools' facilities and critical infrastructures. The squad comprises 60 well-trained police personnel equipped with the necessary kits and tools for the task.
Starting from May 2, 2024, the SPS will conduct robust patrols around all primary and secondary schools, including vulnerable tertiary institutions, across each senatorial district of the state. The officers have been trained in school policing tactics and provided with operational vehicles and hi-tech tracking gadgets to prevent invasions and attacks by potential terrorists.
While acknowledging that the 60-officer squad is insufficient to protect schools in all 44 local government areas and the metropolitan city of Kano, Gumel stated that more squads would be replicated to ensure enough personnel for school protection, as directed by the IGP. The launch of the SPS demonstrates the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to ensuring the safety and security of educational institutions in Kano state.
