The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Abia State Command, has commenced a statewide school safety and security sensitization campaign aimed at promoting security awareness among students, school management, and teaching staff across the state.
The initiative, tagged “School Safety Sensitization and Reach-Out Programme,” began on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, and is designed to educate students and teachers on emerging security threats, personal safety measures, self-defence, and the dangers associated with illicit drug trafficking and abuse.
Launching the programme at the Command Headquarters in Umuahia, the Abia State Commandant of NSCDC, CC Chukwuemeka N. Odimba, FCIA, KSM, JP, described the campaign as a strategic effort to build a culture of security consciousness among young people.
According to him, instilling security awareness in children and educators is critical to creating a safer society.
Commandant Odimba explained that the sensitization exercise followed the Command’s recent security assessment tour of unity schools, colleges of education, polytechnics and universities across Abia State, adding that the current campaign represents the second phase of the Command’s comprehensive Safe School initiative.
He noted that the programme is intended to strengthen the protection of students and teachers while promoting a peaceful and secure learning environment throughout the state.
The Commandant also disclosed that the NSCDC is partnering with the Civil Defence Officers’ Wives Association (CDOWA), Abia State Chapter, to implement the programme successfully. He commended the State Chairperson of CDOWA, Lady Ijeoma Odimba, for the association’s contributions to peacebuilding through various intervention programmes, including security awareness campaigns, scholarships for indigent pupils, distribution of study materials and provision of sanitary products for the girl child.
At Comprehensive Secondary School, Umuda, the Head of the Safe School Unit, CSC Umezurike Chinyere, educated students on security awareness and self-defence techniques. She described CDOWA as a dependable partner in advancing the Safe School initiative.
The school’s Principal, Mrs. Ezenwa Ngozi A., expressed appreciation to the NSCDC and CDOWA, stating that the programme goes beyond protecting lives and property by helping to build resilient communities, promote patriotism and instil a culture of security consciousness among school children.
The sensitization team has also visited Abayi Community Secondary School, Abayi, where the Principal, Mr. Francis Victor Pecker, applauded the initiative and called for its sustainability.
Other schools already covered include Ogbodiukwu Community Secondary School, Ogbodiukwu, Umuahia South Local Government Area, and Lohum Secondary School, Bende Local Government Area.
As the campaign continues, the NSCDC and CDOWA plan to extend the security awareness programme, distribution of study materials and sanitary products to schools across all parts of Abia State.
The association also appealed to philanthropists, corporate organisations and other stakeholders to partner with it in expanding the initiative to benefit more schools and students across the state.
The statement was signed by the Head of Media and Public Relations, CSC Ndukwe Agu Egwu, on behalf of the State Commandant.
