NSCDC creates squad to protect schools

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has created Safe School Special Response Squad (SSSRS) to protect schools against attacks across the country.

The CommandantGeneral of the Corps, Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi, disclosed this at the opening session of the capacity-building courses for safe school administrators and managers held at the national headquarters of the NSCDC on Monday.

He said the creation of the SSSRS, the armed unit of the National Safe Schools Response Coordination Centre, was in compliance with the implementation strategy of the National Safe School Programme.

“By virtue of this creation, the Rapid Response Squad and the Female Squad have been collapsed into the SSSRS.

“The responsibility of SSRS shall be to undertake regular patrols and responds to distress calls as may be directed by the commander of the NSSRCC. Other responsibilities of the special squad shall be as contained in the SOP,” the CG said.

Audi said the National Plan on Safe School was a product of a series of consultative engagements with relevant stakeholders at national and subnational levels of government aimed at protecting schools, learners, teachers, non-teaching staff and host communities from attacks.

“The whole idea of the Safe School Plan is in recognition of the prevalence of cases of attacks and violence in Nigerian schools and its devastating impact on schools and host communities.

“It is estimated that 75% (according to the UNDP) of children are in IDP camps without access to learning.

“To further worsen the situation, parents are scared to send their children to schools thereby contributing to the high rate of out-of-school children in the country,” he said.

Commander, National Safe School Initiative, Tersoo Shaapera, said many parents had withdrawn their children from school while many students were scared of going to school because of insecurity.

Lydia Ifeyinwa Giginna, the representative of the Ministry of Education, said insecurity had deprived many children of the right to education.

She said abductions, attacks, violence against children, rape, natural disaster and cultism among others had increased the number of out-of-school children in Nigeria.