The Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), on Tuesday,the 20th, October 2026 flagged off the Niger State chapter of National Safe Schools Initiative in the State.
The National Safe Schools Initiative aimed at featuring the introduction of the PCRC National Safe Schools Club and the launch of the PCRC BOOSTER security application and emergency response system.
The ceremony,which was held at the Police Officers' Mess, Minna, brought together Senior Police officers, national and state PCRC executives, school administrators, students and other critical stakeholders to promote school safety and strengthen community-based security.
Addressing the participants at the occasion,the Niger State Chairman of PCRC,Alhaji Alhassan Wasagi commended the participants for their unwavering commitment to security and community development across their respective branches.
The National Chairman PCRC Alhaji Mogaji Ibrahim Olaniyan, underscored the committee’s role in supporting effective Policing through community engagement and building public confidence and cooperation in the committee.
The PCRC Zonal Chairman, Otunba Bolaji Adigun, JP, who delivered the flag-off address on behalf of the National PCRC Chairman, Alh. Mogaji Ibrahim Olaniyan, highlighted the Committee's role in supporting policing through community engagement and public cooperation.
The National Chairman who was represented by the Zonal Chairman Otunba Bolaji Adigun explained that the National Safe Schools Initiative seeks to establish Safe Schools Clubs in schools and deploy the PCRC BOOSTAR application as a digital platform for reporting security threats, disseminating emergency information and facilitating timely responses by relevant authorities.
He urged stakeholders to support the effective implementation of the initiatives to enhance school safety and public security.
In his remarks, the PCRC Safe Schools National Technical Director, Dr. Benson Olatunji, described the PCRC as a vital link between the Police and the public.
He stated that the initiatives were designed to strengthen communication, improve the reporting of emergencies and facilitate prompt security responses.
He further noted that the BOOSTAR platform incorporates geo-location features to help identify distress locations accurately and provides a feedback mechanism for users.
Dr. Olatunji also disclosed that implementation would proceed in phases, beginning with the flag-off, followed by schools data capturing across the states and training for relevant stakeholders.
He called for public cooperation and support for PCRC members to ensure the successful implementation of the programme.
Contributions were made by several stakeholders, including the representative of the Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education and Desk Officer for the Safe Schools Initiative, Mr. Mohammed Saidu Tako; the Niger State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Com. Idris Lafene; the Area Commander, Minna, ACP Tor-Anyiin Daniel; PCRC Youth Coordinator, Amb. Ishaq Mohammed; and the State PCRC Women Coordinator. Among other recommendations, the NLC Chairman emphasised the need to involve Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) and the traditional institution in school safety efforts.
The state Commissioner of Police CP Adamu Abdullahi Elleman,appreciated the PCRC for the sustainability of its synergy with the Police and acknowledged its contributions to community safety and effective Policing.
Represented by the Assistant Commissioner of Police ACP in charge of Operations and State Coordinator, Schools Protection Squad, ACP Muhammad Muazu described the Safe Schools initiative as a well deserved development that would go a long way to strengthen security coordination,improve service delivery and promote the safety and well-being of students and wider community.
He assured the PCRC of the Command's continued support and cooperation in implementing the initiative.
Other dignitaries include the representative of the Area Commander, Bosso, CSP Yusuf A. Warra; DPOs within the Minna metropolis; PCRC Vice Chairman, North Central Zone, Mr. Tanko Dada; national and state PCRC executives; Deputy Chairman of the Trade Union Congress, Mrs. Khadijat Ado Mohammed; transport union representatives from NARTO, NURTW and RTEAN; and administrators/ proprietors of public and private primary and secondary schools in Minna, alongside other partners and stakeholders.
