Ogun schools under watch as police deploy protection squad

By Adejoke Adeleye

The Ogun State Police Command has deployed its School Protection Squad across the state as schools resume academic activities, in a move to strengthen security around educational institutions.

The deployment is in line with the strategic policing agenda of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, which emphasises proactive, preventive and community-oriented policing.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed this in a statement, saying the initiative was designed to protect pupils, teachers and other school personnel, as well as secure school infrastructure.

Babaseyi said the squad would also gather actionable intelligence around schools and ensure swift response to emerging security threats.

She said the deployment covered schools that had resumed, while other institutions scheduled to reopen later would also be brought under the security arrangement.

As part of efforts to strengthen the initiative, the Commissioner of Police, CP Bode Ojajuni, recently received an executive delegation of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) Safe School Club at the Command Headquarters in Abeokuta.

The delegation was led by the State Chairman of the PCRC Safe School Club, Comrade Abdullahi Babatunde Lawal.

Babaseyi said the meeting focused on strengthening cooperation among the police, school authorities, parents, students and community stakeholders to ensure early identification, reporting and prevention of security threats in and around schools.

Ojajuni commended the initiative and reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to working with the PCRC and other stakeholders to keep schools safe.

He charged members of the School Protection Squad to remain vigilant, maintain close contact with school communities and respond promptly to credible security information.

The commissioner said the Command remained committed to anticipating threats, preventing incidents and providing swift protective intervention whenever necessary.

He also urged school proprietors, administrators, teachers, parents, students and members of the public to remain alert and promptly report suspicious activities around schools.

The Command specifically urged residents to adopt the principle: “See Something, Say Something.”

It warned against ignoring suspicious persons, vehicles, movements or activities around schools, stressing that early reporting could help prevent security incidents.

The Command provided the Gateway Shield Emergency Line, 08000009111, for school-related emergencies.

The police assured residents that the School Protection Squad, working with the PCRC and other stakeholders, remained prepared to protect schools, prevent threats and respond swiftly to emergencies across Ogun State.

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