The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has introduced a new emergency response tool, the VGS—VIGISCOPE application, aimed at enhancing safety in schools across Nigeria.
In a statement released on Thursday by the Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, the app was launched following a two-day seminar held from November 26 to 27, 2024, which also marked the inauguration of the Safe School Protection Squad.
Odutola described the VGS app as a real-time alert system connected to a central command center in Abuja, designed to detect emergencies and dispatch rapid responses.
“It enhances technical intelligence in crime resolution and facilitates police access to difficult-to-reach areas, ensuring effective information sharing and threat detection. In the event of danger, students or school principals can connect to the central base via a smartphone to request immediate assistance or report incidents directly from the scene,” she explained.
The internet-enabled application allows schools, including those in Ogun State, to utilize it wherever there is network coverage.
Users can send a “rescue me” alert, which triggers an immediate response from the VGS central headquarters.
“It can identify distress, report emergencies, and facilitate coordinated responses. It also aids technical intelligence by helping police officers access otherwise inaccessible areas without casualties and supports the tactical interception of information and threat identification,” Odutola added.
The security tool provides an essential communication link, allowing users to contact tactical commanders when in danger.
“It is data-driven and accessible wherever internet service is available, allowing schools in Ogun State to benefit from its features. When a subscriber of the App is in danger, they can send a rescue message, triggering an alert at the VGS central headquarters, which then contacts tactical commanders for rescue assistance within minutes,” Odutola emphasized.
