NSCDC inaugurates ‘female strike force’ to protect schools in FCT

The federal capital territory (FCT) command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has inaugurated a female strike force to “safeguard schools in the territory”.

Olusola Odumosu, the FCT NSCDC commandant, disclosed this on Thursday in a statement issued by Samuel Idoko, the command’s spokesperson.

Odumosu said the inauguration of the strike force followed the completion of a three-day training, with the sole aim to ensure full safety of all schools in FCT.

He noted that the training had provided its personnel with the necessary skills and capabilities to effectively perform their duties.

The statement added that the training is a follow-up to the recent meeting with all unit commanders.

Ahmed Audi, general commandant of the NSCDC, urged personnel to discharge their duties effectively, following reported cases of kidnapping in some parts of the country.

“The training is imperative to ensure compliance with the CG’s directive on the mandate of securing schools for the safety of students and staff,” Audi said.

“Cases of abduction in schools must come to an end. That is the primary purpose of this training.

“We need to restore the confidence of the people in our ability to secure schools in the FCT.”

Odumosu urged the female strike force to conduct regular school patrols and surveillance to prevent threats and attacks, while also urging them to hold periodic security awareness and enlightenment talks for students and teachers.

“We must make schools safe havens once again for children,” he said.

The commandant further called on FCT schools to register with the National Safe School Response Coordination Centre (NSSRCC) to ensure better coordination and quicker responses.

He clarified that the registration was free and schools could be added to the ecosystem.

Odumosu also directed operatives to abide by the corps’ standard operational procedure (SOP) in discharging their duties, and avoid over-zealousness in the use of force or firearms.

He added that the training and retraining of the personnel would be held regularly to ensure prompt response to any security threat.

On March 13, the senate summoned Nyesom Wike, minister of the FCT, and Benneth Igwe, commissioner of police for the territory, over the rising insecurity in the nation’s capital.