The Ondo State Police Command has stepped up security around schools across the state ahead of the commencement of the new academic session, deploying specialised personnel to protect students and staff from possible threats.
The command said its School Protection Squad had been positioned in strategic locations across the state to monitor schools and respond quickly to security incidents.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, made this known in a statement issued on Sunday on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, CP Felix Ohagwu.
Jimoh said the command had equally increased patrols and police visibility around schools, while intelligence-driven operations would be sustained in schools and other sensitive areas to frustrate criminal activities.
He said, “The Command wishes to assure parents, guardians, students, teachers and school proprietors of adequate security as schools resume for the new academic session.”
The police spokesperson urged school authorities to immediately alert security agencies whenever they noticed suspicious individuals or activities around their premises, stressing that timely information would help prevent possible crimes.
The command also advised parents to educate their children on personal safety, while students were warned against using isolated routes, accepting offers from strangers or ignoring suspicious behaviour.
“The Command assures members of the public that police personnel will remain vigilant and responsive throughout the academic session. The cooperation and support of all stakeholders are solicited through the provision of timely and credible information that could assist the Police in preventing and tackling crime,” the statement added.
The command urged residents requiring urgent police intervention to contact its control room on 0703 431 3903, assuring the public of its continued commitment to protecting lives and property throughout the academic session.