The Commissioner of Police, Borno State Command, Yusuf Lawal Mohammed, has assured the Borno State University (BOSU) community and its students of enhanced security measures to protect lives and property.
The assurance was given during a meeting with the Vice Chancellor and the University’s management staff at the Police Command headquarters on Thursday.
CP Yusuf Lawal revealed that Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has allocated approximately 200 houses to the Nigeria Police Force at the Mai Mala Buni Housing Estate, located near the University.
He expressed optimism that once the police move into the estate and establish an outpost there, security presence in the area will significantly improve.
The CP also expressed hope for a strengthened and sustainable relationship between the University community and the residents of the estate.
Highlighting the broader collaboration between the police and educational institutions, CP Yusuf Lawal referenced the Safe School Program initiated by the British Council.
Under the leadership of the new Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, the program now includes components like community policing and outreach initiatives to ensure safer schools.
He urged the University’s management to support the police in implementing key aspects of the program, including education, counseling, enforcement, and mentorship.
He proposed organizing activities to engage students, emphasizing the importance of keeping them occupied productively to prevent negative influences.
On a somber note, CP Yusuf Lawal commiserated with the University’s management over a recent vehicle accident that claimed the lives of two students and injured several others. He stressed the need for proactive measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of BOSU, Professor Babagana Gutti, explained that the visit aimed to strengthen the existing partnership with the police, particularly as he had recently assumed office.
He expressed gratitude for the police’s swift response during and after the tragic accident and commended the officers assigned to the University.
Professor Gutti aligned with the CP’s vision for the Safe School Program and encouraged police officers to consider pursuing academic roles after their service to share their expertise with students. “We retire at 70 in academia, and your experiences could greatly benefit our students,” he noted.
