The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has initiated a two-day training workshop aimed at enhancing the capabilities of Safe Schools Instructors and Facilitators. The objective of this workshop is to ensure that members of the Special Safe Schools Response Squad (SSSRS) across the nation adhere to the prescribed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Under the theme of ‘Enhancing Skills for Safe Schools Instructors,’ Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, the Commandant General of the NSCDC, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to safeguarding schools in the country. Dr. Audi emphasized that the key role of the Special Safe Schools Response Squad (SSSRS) is to conduct routine patrols and promptly respond to emergencies in coordination with other relevant agencies, as directed by the Commander of the Safe Schools Response Coordination Centre.
Delegating his authority to the Deputy Commandant General, DCG Nnamdi Nwinyi, who oversees Crisis and Disaster Management, the Commandant General urged the 92 participants to disseminate the knowledge gained during the workshop to ensure the success of the National Safe Schools Project.
“Following this workshop, your responsibility entails the thorough and consistent training of SSSRS members. This training should align with the SOPs established by the Center and relevant legal frameworks,” stated the Deputy Commandant General. He also highlighted that the Center will implement decentralization, transferring certain training programs to regional, state, and local levels.
In line with this approach, a Safe Schools Coordinators Course has been scheduled for senior NSCDC officers in the North-East Zone from September 6th to 8th, 2023. Similar training sessions are planned for the North Central Zone from September 18th to 20th, 2023, followed by comparable initiatives in all other Geo-Political Zones.
This shift towards decentralization intends to bring training closer to the schools’ locations, primarily situated in states and local governments. It also offers the communities hosting these institutions the opportunity to participate, enabling them to play a more active role in ensuring the safety of schools within their vicinity.
Dr. Tersoo Shaapera, a Chief Superintendent of Corps and Commander of the NSSRCC, highlighted the Center’s embodiment of inter-agency collaboration, which was made possible through the concerted efforts of the Commandant General. This collaboration included various entities such as the military, police, and DSS.
The Commander expressed gratitude to the Commandant General for his dedicated leadership and commitment to protecting schools. He traced the origins of the safe schools program to a vulnerability survey conducted by the NSCDC, which laid the foundation for the current initiatives.
Dr. Shaapera explained that this training workshop marks another step in the implementation of the safe schools program. Its aim is to equip the Special Safe Schools Rapid Response Squad with the skills outlined in the Safe Schools Declaration, encompassing both kinetic and non-kinetic operations at the state and local levels where most schools are situated.
Participants in the training were selected from all 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The resource persons leading the sessions were carefully chosen from the security sector, academia, ministries, and Civil Society Organizations
