Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Plans Workshop to Address School Attacks

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has announced plans to hold a one-day sensitisation workshop aimed at finding a lasting solution to the recurring attacks on schools by kidnappers in the North Central geo-political zone. The workshop, which is expected to host 500 security personnel, will be held at the Nasarawa State Government House, Lafia, on Thursday.

The Commander of the National Safe Schools Response Coordination Centre (NSSRCC), CSC Tersoo Shaapera, revealed this during a press briefing on Tuesday in the Doma Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. He stated that the persistent attacks on schools across the country led the Federal Government to initiate the programme. The NSCDC will collaborate with the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Police Force, the Department of State Services, and private security organisations for the safe schools’ initiative.

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Shaapera outlined the functions of the NSSRCC, which include formulating school-host community engagement programmes for information gathering and security alert; advocacy, capacity development and creating awareness on safe schools approach; and providing forensic evidence-based response, among others.

He noted that the challenge of school attacks cuts across all geo-political zones, with differences in its manifestation. “Terrorism and insurgency have resulted in the worrisome kidnap and abduction of students and teachers, along with the destruction of physical structures of schools,” Shaapera said.

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He expressed optimism about the establishment of the NSSRCC, which he described as a serious and strategic intervention to address the menace of insecurity in schools. “With the support and collaboration of all and sundry, I believe the goal is realisable. We must all unite against anything that will affect the teaching and learning process in any school, both the ones in urban, semi-urban and rural areas,” he added.

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Earlier, the Commandant of the NSCDC in the state, Abbas Bappa-Muhammed, pledged the total commitment of all personnel of the command to ensure the protection of schools across the 13 LGAs of the state.