By Mohammed Abubakar, Dutse
Participants at the Stakeholders’ Forum on School Security in Jigawa State on Thursday tasked security agencies to be professional in their operations by observing the confidentiality of their sources.
This, they believe, would give the citizens more public confidence thereby offering them information relating to security-related issues.
The occasion also coincided with the launching of School Safety Initiative, aimed at ensuring the security and well-being of students and staff in schools across the state as well as the opening of the Two-Day training for operators.
Emir of Hadejia and Chairman of the Jigawa State Traditional Council, Abubakar Adamu Maje, who set the tone for the discussion, lauded the police for taking the initiative to launch the programme.
The Emir, who was represented by the District Head of Kiyawa, Adamu Aliya, cautioned the police against leaking out whistleblowers’ identities, emphasising the need to protect informants who share intelligence with security agencies.
While acknowledging that the situation had started to get better with the efforts of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) he still believed that there was the need for more efforts along the line to bridge the gap in public confidence.
He assured the gathering of the support of the Jigawa Emirate for the development, urging all stakeholders to collaborate for the betterment of security in the state, particularly in schools.
Chairman of the state chapter of Jama’atul Nasril Islam (JNI ), Ustaz Muhammad Babangida, drew attention to the importance of the programme, reiterating the call for privacy and protection of those who share intelligence with security agencies.
Rev. Panus Panti Gideon, who represented the state chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Jigawa, expressed appreciation to the police for being proactive in forming the scheme.
He called on leaders, parents, and all stakeholders to collaborate for the success of the initiative.
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, said the launch of the Jigawa Save School Initiative was part of the Force’s efforts in joining the state in fulfilling its obligations towards keeping the school environments safe for teaching and learning in the state.
Egbetokun, who was represented by AIG Zone One, Kano, Ahmed Ammani, called for more cooperation from parents, school administrators, students and the general public to realise the set objectives of the initiative.
Governor Umar Namadi emphasised that the initiative provides an opportunity for stakeholders to brainstorm on the best way to continue guarding schools in the state.
“Our government will continue to do everything necessary towards protecting our schools and citizens in the state,” he said.
Namadi revealed that the state government had employed over 9,000 private guards to provide security in schools across the state, which has also helped reduce unemployment among youths.
The governor acknowledged that the only remaining security challenge in the state is the clash between farmers and herders, which his administration is addressing through the farmer-herder board.
“I assure you that the Jigawa State Government will continue to support the newly introduced School Safety Initiatives in the state,” he added.
The governor also noted that the government has done a lot in promoting teaching and learning spaces, including security around schools across the 27 LGAs in Jigawa state.
Chairman of the state PCRC, Haruna Aliyu Dangyatim, appreciated the efforts of the police and other security agencies in the state.
Dangyatim, who is also the Speaker of the Jigawa State House of Assembly, therefore acknowledged the importance of community policing in maintaining peace and stability.
Representatives of security agencies in attendance during the stakeholders’ forum including the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps ( NSCDC) reiterated that security is everyone’s business, calling for more support to attain peace and stability in the state.
The security agencies’ representative repeated the call to action on the slogan, “If you see something, say something,” and thanked the Jigawa State Government for providing a conducive atmosphere for their operations.
The launch of the School Safety Initiative gathered inputs from the stakeholders, including the emirate’s, religious organisations and community leaders, on providing a safe and secure learning environment for its citizens in the state.
