The Safe School Response Coordination Centre of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Anambra State Command, has commenced monitoring and sensitisation visits to schools across the State as part of efforts to strengthen security and promote a safe learning environment.
The exercise was flagged off on Thursday, September 17, 2026, by the State Commandant, Commandant Maku Olatunde, accompanied by the Safe School Coordinator, Superintendent of Corps (SC) Afunanya Nneka; SC Okadigbo Edwin; the Head of Media/Tactical Operations; and the NSCDC Unit Commander, Government House, SC Nwokoji Sopuruchukwu.
The team’s first port of call was Ridge Valley Academy, Awka, among other schools visited during the exercise.
Addressing pupils and school authorities on behalf of the State Commandant, SC Afunanya Nneka emphasised the importance of maintaining a strong safety and security culture within and around school environments.
She urged school proprietors, administrators, teachers, parents, pupils and members of the public to remain security-conscious and promptly report suspicious persons, vehicles, movements, objects or activities around schools to the NSCDC or the nearest security agency.
She also advised members of the school community to desist from actions capable of endangering their lives or those of others and to adhere strictly to school rules and regulations.
According to her, the NSCDC, in collaboration with other relevant security agencies and stakeholders, is making concerted efforts to strengthen the security architecture around schools and ensure a safe and conducive learning environment.
SC Afunanya encouraged pupils to take personal safety seriously, shun truancy and street roaming, and cooperate with teachers, school management and security personnel in maintaining peace and order within their school communities.
She further stressed the need for sustained cooperation among pupils, teachers, parents, school authorities, government agencies and security personnel to maintain a peaceful and conducive atmosphere for learning.
Also speaking during the exercise, the NSCDC Government House Unit Commander, SC Nwokeji Sopuruchukwu, urged pupils to always speak up whenever they are molested or abused by anyone.
He assured them that the Corps has the capacity to secure and protect them and encouraged them to promptly report incidents of abuse to trusted adults or relevant security authorities.
During the monitoring exercise, the team interacted with school managements, teachers and pupils, assessed the schools’ general level of preparedness for the new academic session and identified areas requiring further attention.
The exercise also reinforced the need for continuous collaboration among schools, host communities and security agencies in preventing and responding to security threats.
The Command urged schools and members of the public to key into the “See Something, Say Something” mantra, emphasising that prompt and timely reporting could provide actionable intelligence capable of preventing security breaches.
Earlier, the Director of Ridge Valley Academy, Awka, Dr Ifeyinwa Ejelue, expressed appreciation to the NSCDC for visiting the school, noting that the sensitisation exercise served as a reminder that ensuring the safety of pupils, teachers and the entire school community is a shared responsibility.
