Anambra Police Step Up Security Around Schools as New Academic Session Begins

By Praise Chinecherem

The Anambra State Police Command has stepped up security operations around schools and other strategic locations across the state as academic activities resume for the new session.

The enhanced deployment is part of efforts to protect pupils, students, teachers and other members of the school community, while ensuring a safe and conducive environment for learning.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, saying the operation was being carried out in line with the Inspector-General of Police’s Safe School Initiative.

According to Ikenga, the exercise is being coordinated under the supervision of the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, ACP Harrison Oruruo, with personnel from the Police, sister security agencies and other relevant stakeholders deployed to designated schools and strategic locations across the state.

He said the deployment was designed to strengthen security around educational institutions and improve safety awareness among schoolchildren.

“The deployment is aimed at strengthening security around educational institutions, sensitising pupils and students on personal safety and security awareness, assisting school children with safe road crossing, and providing other necessary policing services to maintain a safe and conducive learning environment,” Ikenga said.

He added that the exercise would also deepen cooperation among security agencies, school authorities, teachers, parents, guardians and host communities to ensure early detection and prevention of threats around schools.

“The Command is also using the exercise to strengthen collaboration among the Police, school authorities, teachers, parents, guardians, host communities and other stakeholders towards the early identification, prevention and prompt response to security threats around schools,” he said.

Ikenga said officers deployed to the schools had been directed to maintain a high-visibility presence, monitor activities within and around school premises, assist pupils and students during peak arrival and closing periods, and respond promptly to security concerns.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, CP Nnanna Oji Ama, reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to protecting children, teachers, school authorities and other members of the school community.

The Commissioner urged school authorities, parents, guardians and students to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons, activities or emerging security threats to the Police or other relevant security agencies.

Describing security as a shared responsibility, Oji Ama called on stakeholders to maintain effective communication with security agencies and provide credible information that could facilitate timely intervention.

He further assured residents that the Command would continue to strengthen security visibility, intelligence-led policing, community engagement and proactive responses around educational institutions across the state.

“The Command wishes all pupils, students, teachers and other members of the school community a safe, peaceful and successful academic session,” the Commissioner said.

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