More kidnappers camps dilapidated

By Idebaneria Cynthia

The Lagos State Police Command yesterday said there would be no more kidnapping in schools following the destruction of over 200 camps hitherto operated by men of the underworld.

Acting Commissioner of Police, Mr. Imohimi Edgal, gave the assurance at a one-day workshop for stakeholders on the safety of pupils and members of staff of Model Colleges, organised by the state’s Ministry of Education.

He spoke on “The roles and expectations of security agencies in securing lives and properties in our Schools” at Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, in Ikeja.

Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Idiat Adebule, was guest of honour at the workshop which was held ahead of the 2017/2018 academic calendar scheduled for next Monday.

Imohimi, who was represented by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Mr. Bolaji Salami, said kidnapping was not peculiar to Lagos State or Nigeria.

He said the Command will deploy armed officers to some model colleges, especially schools in riverine areas to forestall kidnapping.

Armed personnel will also provide 24 hour security at boarding schools. Dr. Adebule said the state’s Special Task Force had been directed to embark on demolition exercise of all illegal shanties located around all public schools.

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Adebule, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mr. Adesina Odeyemi, said the workshop would sensitise stakeholders so as to prevent a recurrence of abductions in public schools as well as ensure pupils, staff are safe and secure.

She spoke on the theme of the workshop; “Towards a safe and secure learning environment.”

Adebule said: “The state Special Task Force has been directed to commence demolition of illegal structures and shanties built within the set-backs and environment of public schools beginning from next week.

“Therefore, the school administrators should be vigilant that those displaced do not return and, in case you observe the return of the displaced people, you should alert the state government and officials of the state task force immediately, in order to do the needful.

“The future of our children depends on quality education and their safety will not be compromised as they are commencing a new academic session next week Monday. We all have to be on the same page on security, we have to be proactive in order to ensure a smooth sailing 2017/2018 academic session.

“However, there is a new phase of insecurity challenges that we have to deal with and that is the kidnap of schools students.”