By Ijeoma Grace
Former Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mike Okiro, has disclosed that a comprehensive proposal he developed to protect schools and prevent attacks on students during his tenure was ignored by the Federal Government, lamenting that the country's worsening insecurity could have been mitigated through proactive measures.
Speaking during an interview on Arise News on Tuesday, Okiro called for renewed commitment to tackling insecurity across Nigeria, stressing that practical and sustainable solutions were urgently needed to safeguard lives and property.
The former police chief, who spoke on the contentious issue of state policing and the nation's security challenges, noted that insecurity had remained a persistent problem in Nigeria and required collective action from government, security agencies and citizens.
Okiro revealed that while serving as Inspector-General of Police, he proposed strategic measures aimed at strengthening security around schools and protecting educational institutions from attacks by criminal elements.
According to him, the recommendations were not given the necessary attention despite their potential to significantly improve security in schools and vulnerable communities.
"I had proposed measures to safeguard our schools and prevent attacks on students, but those recommendations were not adequately considered," he said.
Expressing concern over the country's security situation, Okiro emphasised that insecurity was not a new phenomenon and urged Nigerians to remain resolute in confronting the challenge.
"Insecurity has been here for a very long time, but it is either for us to prevail," he stated.
The former police boss stressed that overcoming insecurity would require stronger collaboration among security agencies, policymakers and the public, as well as the implementation of meaningful reforms capable of addressing the root causes of crime and violence.
He urged the government at all levels to adopt proactive security measures, strengthen institutional capacity and provide the necessary support for ongoing security reforms.
Okiro maintained that protecting schools, communities, and critical national assets must remain a priority, warning that failure to take decisive action could further expose citizens to criminal activities and undermine national development.
He called for a holistic approach to security management, insisting that the safety of Nigerians should remain at the centre of government policies and programmes.
