The Lagos State Police Command yesterday
said there would be no more kidnapping in schools following the
destruction of over 200 camps hitherto operated by men of the
underworld...
Acting Commissioner of Police, Mr.
Imohimi Edgal, gave the assurance at a one-day workshop for stakeholders
on the safety of pupils and members of staff of Model Colleges and
upgraded secondary schools, organised by the state’s Ministry of
Education.
He spoke on “The roles and expectations
of security agencies in securing lives and properties in our Schools” at
Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, in Ikeja.
Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Idiat
Adebule, was guest of honour at the workshop which was held ahead of the
2017/2018 academic calendar scheduled for next Monday.
Imohimi, who was represented by the
Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of State Criminal Investigation
Department (SCID), Mr. Bolaji Salami, said kidnapping was not peculiar
to Lagos State or Nigeria.
He said the Command will deploy armed
officers to some model colleges, especially schools in riverine areas so
as to forestall kidnapping. Armed personnel will also provide 24-hour
security at boarding schools.
Dr. Adebule said the state’s Special
Task Force had been directed to embark on demolition exercise of all
illegal shanties located around all public schools.
Adebule, who was represented by the
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mr. Adesina Odeyemi, said
the workshop would sensitise stakeholders so as to prevent a recurrence
of abductions in public schools as well as ensure pupils, staff are safe
and secure.
She spoke on the theme of the workshop; “Towards a safe and secure learning environment.”
Adebule said: “The state Special Task
Force has been directed to commence demolition of illegal structures and
shanties built within the set-backs and environment of public schools
beginning from next week.
“Therefore, the school administrators
should be vigilant that those displaced do not return and, in case you
observe the return of the displaced people, you should alert the state
government and officials of the state task force immediately, in order
to do the needful.
“The future of our children depends on
quality education and their safety will not be compromised as they are
commencing a new academic session next week Monday. We all have to be on
the same page on security, we have to be proactive in order to ensure a
smooth sailing 2017/2018 academic session.
“However, there is a new phase of in security challenges that we have to deal with and that is the kidnap of schools students.”
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