To strengthen security measures in schools, the Ilorin West Division of the NSCDC on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, organized a one-day Security Summit themed: “School Safety & Emergency Response Tips: Citizens’ Security.”
Speaking at the event, the Divisional Officer, Ilorin West Division, CSC Muhammed K. Hamzat, said the summit was designed to enhance grassroots security architecture, focusing on protecting schools, students, and teachers from threats such as kidnapping, cultism, bullying, drug abuse, and other forms of violence.
In his keynote address, the Kwara State Commandant, Dr. Umar J.G. Muhammed, highlighted the NSCDC’s leading role in implementing the Federal Government’s Safe School Initiative.
He expressed concern over the increasing security threats in schools and called for a coordinated, collective approach to mitigate risks.
“The safety of our children, teachers, and school communities is a shared responsibility that requires collaboration between government agencies, educational institutions, and community leaders. This summit provides stakeholders with practical strategies to enhance school security and emergency response mechanisms,” he stated.
Dr. Muhammed further urged school administrators, teachers, students, and parents to actively support government policies and security measures aimed at protecting schools across Kwara’s 16 local government areas. He emphasized that intelligence sharing, vigilance, and adherence to security protocols are critical in preventing security breaches.
In their separate remarks, Dr. Uthman Atolagbe (Balogun Alanamu) and Dr. Adekola Abdulazeez of Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, stressed the importance of collaboration between school administrators, community leaders, and security agencies.
They advocated for community participation, strengthened surveillance, and early warning systems as key strategies to prevent security threats.
Their recommendations aligned with the global Safe Schools Declaration, emphasizing policy implementation, security awareness, and risk assessment measures within schools.
It is worth noting that the NSCDC, through the National Safe Schools Response Coordination Centre (NSSRCC), serves as the coordinating agency for the Federal Government’s Safe School Initiative, ensuring a secure learning environment for students nationwide.
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