NSCDC Boss Orders Deployment Of Undercover Agents To Schools

The Commandant General (CG) of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence (NSCDC), Ahmed Audi, on Friday, ordered the immediate deployment of undercover agents to schools and host communities to enhance security in schools nationwide.

The CG gave the directive in Kaduna, at the closing ceremony of a five-day capacity building on Safe School Response.

The capacity building was organised by the National Safe Schools Response Coordination Centre (NSSRCC).

Audi said for successful implementation of the directive, the Corps would partner with the Ministry of Education in each state and Local Education Authorities.

The NSCDC boss who was represented at the event by the Assistant Commandant General, Training and Capacity Building, David Abi, noted that the capacity building is to strengthen the resilience of relevant stakeholders including vigilante groups, retired security personnel, host communities and serving personnel of NSCDC.

The CG said the rising cases of attacks and violence on schools in Nigeria had an attendant negative impact, including increasing the rate of out-of-school children in the country.

He said, “The strategic plan is based on the whole-of-society approach with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps as the lead agency.

“The Corps is also hosting the headquarters of the Centre, saddled with the responsibility of coordinating safety and security response for schools and host communities in collaboration with all security agencies and other relevant stakeholders.

“The Centre is the first of its kind in Africa; available records indicate that no other country has this kind of facility with the sole responsibility of providing safety and security prevention and protection measures for schools and host communities.

“It requires effective synergy and collaboration from all stakeholders including the Federal, State and Local Governments

“It is also pertinent to state that the Standard Operating Procedure of the Centre provides for the creation of state coordinating centres and local government response centres for effective and seamless operation.

“It is for this singular fact that I respectfully present on behalf of the centre, the request for the kind consideration for allocation of an existing structure within each of the state capitals in the North-West to serve as the safe school coordination centres.

“Be reminded that aside from being ambassadors of the centre, you are equally the foot soldiers who are in direct contact with the members of schools and host communities.”