The Anambra State Police Command has deployed officers to schools and strategic locations across the state as pupils and students return for the new academic session.
The operation, carried out under the Inspector General of Police’s Safe School Initiative, is designed to deter security threats around educational institutions and provide protection during busy school hours.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, noting that the deployment was coordinated by the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, ACP Harrison Oruruo.
Rather than limiting the operation to routine patrols, the police assigned officers specific duties around school communities. Personnel will maintain visible positions near schools, educate pupils and students on personal safety, assist children when crossing roads and respond to security concerns that may arise.
The arrangement places police officers at points where children are most exposed to avoidable risks, particularly during periods when schools open and close and movement around surrounding roads increases.
The initiative also seeks to deepen cooperation between law enforcement and the people who interact with schools daily. School authorities, teachers, parents, guardians, host communities and other stakeholders are expected to maintain communication with security personnel and provide timely information when they notice unusual activity.
Commissioner of Police, Nnanna Oji Ama, stressed the need for vigilance across the school environment.
He stated, “The protection of children and other members of the school community remains a priority for the command. We urge school authorities, parents, guardians and students to remain security conscious and promptly report any suspicious persons, activities or security concerns to the police.”
Ama also framed the arrangement as a collective security effort rather than a task for the police alone.
“Security is a shared responsibility. All stakeholders must support the Safe School Initiative by maintaining effective communication with the police and other security agencies,” he said.
The deployment comes as schools across the state begin another academic cycle, placing renewed attention on the safety of pupils, students and staff as daily school activities resume.
The police presence is expected to serve both preventive and responsive functions. Officers stationed around schools can provide an immediate security response while their visibility may also discourage individuals seeking to exploit periods of heavy movement around educational facilities.
The command said it would sustain police visibility, community engagement and proactive policing around schools and other educational institutions throughout the session.
Ama wished pupils, students, teachers and other members of the school community a safe and successful academic year.
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