The Benue State Police Command has assured that schools in the state are safe, following the kidnap incidents that affected schoolchildren in two states in the country.
Mr. Emenari Ifeanyi, the State Commissioner of Police in Benue, told reporters on Friday that the Command has increased security in and around schools in the state.
Ifeanyi stated that, in addition to the force’s Schools Protection Squad (SPS), the Command has deployed men to various state schools, particularly girls’ schools.
He stated that the Inspector General of Police had already directed that all schools and worship facilities in the country be protected.
“The IGP has already given directives to all the Commissioners of Police in the country to make sure that schools and worship centers, including our mosques, are secured.
“Even before then, we had posted security men to all the public schools in the state, especially the girls’ schools.
“As we speak now, we have put permanent security men there, while in other schools we have deployed our men to carry out routine patrols and have asked the principals to have police telephone numbers so that if anything happens, they can call the police immediately for necessary action.
“We have also organized a program to train both teachers and students on what to do if anything happens, especially getting in contact with police, so we have our schools properly covered,” he said.
Speaking on the forthcoming Yuletide, Ifeanyi said the Command had put in place proactive measures to ensure that the state was safe and citizens enjoyed the season.
“Members of my management team have been posted to the hinterland, and all the other commands are being manned by deputy commissioners and assistant commissioners, apart from the other commanders on the ground with tactical teams in all the troubled areas.
“We have emplaced a heightened presence of competent police teams across the state, and as we speak, they are there in the nooks and crannies of the state to help maintain peace, especially in seemingly volatile areas.
“We have told members of the public that if they notice any suspicious movement, they should let their local DPO and area commanders know.
“We are working in synergy with sister security agencies in all the divisions in the state and the military, the NSCDC, the Civil Protection Guard, forest guards, the Hunters Association, and local government chairmen to ensure that the state does not witness any form of crime during the festive season,” he said.
