Acting
Inspector General of Police Mohammed Abubakar has given some security
tips to churches and mosques to stave off terrorist attacks.
A statement by the Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Frank
Mba, advised churches and mosques to carry out risk assessment and
vulnerability surveys to enable them determine the level of risk, they
are exposed to.
According to Abubakar, location of the church/mosque, analysis of its
neighbourhood demography, size and architectural design of the
church/mosque, population of the members, nature of access roads to the
place etc are crucial to the assessment survey.
Some of the measures are: “Churches and Mosques should establish
standard security and safety committee. Members should be volunteers
with impeccable background and a passion for safety and security. Proper
vetting and background checks must be carried out on all prospective
members to avoid infiltration by enemies.
“The committee members should work closely with the local police
authority and other relevant security agencies in formulating
appropriate security measures. The churches/mosques may consider the
options of organising constant trainings, workshops and seminars for
committee members.
“Ushers in churches should be encouraged to perform additional
security duties. Ushers should be given extra trainings and briefings on
security. Competency and individual pedigree, rather than mere looks
should be the yardstick for appointing ushers.
“Churches and Mosques may consider erecting barriers to keep human
and vehicular traffic away from designated areas. One of the most
effective ways of preventing suicide bombing is to isolate the suicide
bomber to himself and prevent him from reaching his targeted audience.
“Churches and mosques officials are advised to make conscious efforts
to know their members. This will make it easier for them to spot and
identify strangers and intruders.
“Churches and mosques in restive areas must avoid the temptation of
isolating themselves from the public or their host community. They must
avoid the “fortress mentality”. They are encouraged to go into the
society and play positive roles in solving the problems of the community
and changing the society for good. They must build bridges and build
bonds.
“They should strive to build strong relationship with local security
agencies (Police, Military, Fire Service etc) and encourage seamless
flow of information between themselves and the agencies.
“Worshippers should park their vehicles at designated distances away
from the places of worship. Worshippers who reside close to the places
of worship are encouraged to walk rather than drive to the worship
centres. This will reduce the number of cars around the worship centres.
“Worshippers should be discouraged from entering the worship centres
with handbags, briefcases and other similar items. There is need for
perimeter fencing of all places of worship to prevent invaders from
gaining cheap access, especially during prayers/services.
“There is need for training of churches/mosques guards by the law
enforcement agents to meet up with their responsibilities at their duty
posts. Churches/mosques are advised to invest on modern security gadgets
such as CCTV cameras, scanners, etc.
“The officials and worshippers at churches and mosques should be
ready to partner and cooperate with the security agencies deployed to
their places of worship on Sundays and Fridays. People should avoid
rushing to the scene of incidents, especially explosions, to avoid
distorting the scene of crime and exposing themselves to further danger.
“The youths and other members of the congregation must be
sufficiently sensitised on the need to always allow the security
agencies unrestricted access to scenes of incidents in all emergency
situations. Worshippers should be advised to return to their various
homes rather than clustering/loitering around the worship centres after
Sunday services or Jummat prayers.
“Worshippers should be security conscious and report all suspicious characters and observations to the police.”
The statement regretted that churches and mosques, which are
traditionally regarded as safe havens and sanctuaries have come under
relentless terrorist attacks in recent times, particularly in certain
parts in the north.
“They are safe heavens and sanctuaries for worshiping and
experiencing God’s love, mercy and grace. They are hallowed places and
somewhat immune from the troubles, conflicts and violence of the world,
including wars.
“However, recent events in Nigeria and other parts of the world,
particularly the serial attacks on churches in some parts of the
country, appear to have fundamentally altered this age-long view,” the
statement said.
The police said the decision to issue the above safety and security
tips should not be seen as an attempt by the security agencies to
abdicate their responsibility of protecting lives and property.
The statement added that the periodic release of security tips and
other advisory notes was in line with the concept of community and
democratic policing, which demands constant engagement and interaction
with stakeholders.
“Although, we concede that the concept of absolute security is almost
impossible, nonetheless, we believe that with adequate advance planning
and systematic synergy amongst the officials of the various places of
worship, the worshippers, the host community and the law enforcement
agencies, the risks of criminal attacks on our places of worship could
be reduced almost to a zero level,” the statement added.
Culled: The Nation
No comments:
Post a Comment