Insecurity: NSCDC deploys Undercover Agents to Schools against potential attacks

Thelma Osatohanmwen

The Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ahmed Audi, has taken swift action by deploying undercover security agents to schools and host communities in the North-West zone and other areas to safeguard schools from potential attacks by bandits and other criminals.

While speaking at the closing ceremony of the capacity building programme for safe schools response team held in Kaduna State on Friday, he directed the undercover agents to work in unity with the state ministries of education and other stakeholders in order to achieve the safety of students in country.

The Commandant disclosed that, about 200 National Safe School Response Coordination Centre (NSCDC) staffs, vigilantes and other security agents from the north- west geopolitical zone were present during the five-day special training program organized by the NSCDC.

Audi also said that the Initiative is focused on unity and cooperation among security agencies and due to the increased attacks in the northern areas, especially on students, the government deemed it fit to employ this measure as safety and education are of utmost importance.

Given the prevailing insecurity caused by terrorists and bandits, the Kaduna State Government is actively seeking partnerships to promote peace and security in the state. As part of this effort, a capacity building program has been initiated by the national Safe Schools Response Coordination Centre. This program aims to enhance the preparedness of stakeholders and ensure the effective protection of schools in vulnerable communities against attacks by bandits and terrorists.

The whole idea is against the backdrop of the prevalent cases of attacks and violence on schools in the northern region in particular and its attendant negative impact on schools and host communities such as the increasing rate of out of school children in the country.

The training program according to Audi, covers whole-society approach, intelligence gathering, early warning, response mechanisms, and school declaration guidelines. Adding that it is comprehensive and crucial for safe schools in Nigeria.