The Nigeria Police Force has backed the Police Community Relations Committee's Safe Schools Initiative and endorsed plans to recruit 10,000 volunteers to help secure schools nationwide. The Force pledged full support for the scheme and other PCRC programmes designed to strengthen community policing and boost public safety.
CSP Aniete Okokon Iniedu, the Force Public Relations Officer, made the commitment while representing the Inspector-General of Police at the PCRC National Secretariat in Abuja. He praised committee members for their dedication to building stronger relations between police and communities across the country.
"I thank you for your persistence. I thank you for your patience.
If you had not been persistent and patient, the PCRC would not have remained as strong as it is today," Iniedu said.
He called the Safe Schools Initiative timely and said it matched the Nigeria Police Force's goal of protecting schools and creating secure spaces for teaching and learning. Iniedu also commended PCRC National Chairman Alhaji Mogaji Ibraheem Olaniyan for his backing of the police force, calling his efforts exemplary.
The Force PRO recalled how Olaniyan once waited several hours to meet him, noting the gesture showed the chairman's unwavering commitment to the Police and the committee's work. He also revealed that Inspector-General Olatunji Rilwan Disu received ceremonial PCRC lapels from the committee and ordered that one be worn by a civilian staff member in his office.
Iniedu expressed gratitude to the PCRC for donating cameras to Police Public Relations Officers, including his department. He noted the equipment would strengthen public communication and help spread information about police operations more effectively.
He reaffirmed his backing for the committee and promised to keep supporting and promoting PCRC programmes during his time as Force Public Relations Officer. Earlier, Olaniyan described Inspector-General Disu as a leader committed to community policing, openness and working together with stakeholders.
Olaniyan announced that the PCRC is expanding the Safe Schools Initiative by mobilising 10,000 volunteers to work alongside police, community leaders and other security agencies in protecting schools. The scheme will also support the installation of Closed-Circuit Television surveillance systems in schools in vulnerable and remote areas to boost security and discourage crime.
The PCRC chairman praised Iniedu for his openness and commitment to deepening ties between the committee and the Nigeria Police Force. He disclosed that work on the PCRC National Headquarters is moving ahead well and should finish and be commissioned in December.
Olaniyan said PCRC members have decided to name the new headquarters after Inspector-General Disu in recognition of his support for community policing initiatives.
