The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has stressed the urgent need to secure schools nationwide, noting that educational institutions are essential to the country’s progress and development.
The announcement was made on Monday, June 23, 2025, during a two-day summit held at the Local Government Civil Service Commission Hall in Abere, Osogbo, the Osun State capital.
Represented by the Assistant Inspector General of Police for Zone XI, Emuobo Fred, the IGP launched the School Protection Squad (SPS) to enhance school safety in the state.
He described schools as centers of knowledge and leadership training, emphasizing that protecting them from threats is a shared duty for all.
The IGP highlighted that the success of the new squad depends on effective cooperation between security agencies, educational stakeholders, and community leaders.
The Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, was represented at the event by Deputy Governor Kola Adewusi, who expressed support for the initiative and acknowledged the state’s current record of school safety.
The state government reported that no attacks have occurred in any school in Osun so far but emphasized the need for continued vigilance and partnership to maintain this status.
Also speaking, Dr. Abayomi Shogunle, who leads the SPS unit at the Force Headquarters, outlined the threats schools face, including kidnapping, homicide, and property damage, which contribute to student dropouts.
He said the police have set up a round-the-clock emergency response system to address school-related incidents and involve local communities in security measures. Osun was named as one of the first states to adopt the programme.
In his welcome address, Commissioner of Police in Osun State, Ibrahim Gotan, said the two-day summit was organized to bring together community leaders, religious figures, education officials, and government representatives to design practical strategies for school protection.
The School Protection Squad initiative is designed as a proactive, community-driven effort to safeguard schools nationwide amidst increasing security threats to the education sector.
