The Nation Newspaper

Tag: security-conscious

  • Police to Sokoto residents: Be security conscious

    Police to Sokoto residents: Be security conscious

    The Sokoto State Police Command on Thursday advised residents of the state to always be security conscious.

    The Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Mohammed Abdulkadir, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Sokoto .

    Abdulkadir said that already various forms of security measures had being put in place to guarantee the safety of lives and property in the area.

    ” We have put in place security measures in and outside the metropolis that will enable the people to move about and conduct their legitimate businesses without hindrance,” he said.

    The commissioner solicited for more support from the people of the state especially by giving the command intelligence reports that could assist it to arrest and prosecute criminals.

     

  • Ambode to Lagosians: be security conscious

    Ambode to Lagosians: be security conscious

    •Lawmaker donates gadgets to communities

    Lagos State Governor Akinwumi Ambode yesterday urged Lagosians to be security conscious.

    Noting that the country is confronted by security challenges, including insurgency, he said concerted efforts should be made to confront the challenges because security is a collective enterprise.

    The governor spoke at the Yaba Local Development Council (LCDA) during the presentation of security gadgets to 14 residential estates, 66 churches, 40 mosques and nine secondary schools by the member representing Lagos Mainland in the House of Representatives, Olajide Jimoh.

    Represented by the Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Muslim Folami, the governor said the lawmaker’s gesture was consistent with his administration’s vision on the protection of life and property.

    Ambode said: “This is the first time a member of the House of Representatives from Lagos will be distributing security gadgets to churches, mosques and schools.

    “He is complementing the government’s efforts in the grassroots. I urge Lagosians to be security conscious. There are other problems facing our people, especially unemployment. We will also address the challenge.”

    Prominent All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftains witnessed the ceremony chaired by the chairman, Otunba Oladele Ajomale. They include Prince Tajudeen Olusi; Chief Kayode Olowu; House of Representatives members- Rotimi Agunsoye (Kosofe), Babajide Benson (Ikorodu), Ayodeji Joseph (Apapa)-; Chief Tayo Oyemade; Lanre Oshun, Dr. Tokunbo Oluwole; Apostle Femi Ojo;  Yomi Lapite, Chief Mudashiru Odetunde, Chief Iman of Mainland Alhaji Sabit Lawal, Apostle Biyi Thomas and Mrs. Omowumi Giwa, who represented Senator Oluremi Tinubu.

    Explaining his motive, Jimoh said Nigeria can only thrive in an atmosphere of peace.

    He said: “Nigeria today faces a lot of multi-dimensional security challenges, ranging from robbery, kidnapping, abduction, arson, banditry, cultism, assassination, to terrorism.

    “The older generation must revel in the nostalgia of the distant past when humanity savoured peace with politically-motivated violence, religious disturbances and tribal feuds occurring far in-between.

    “Bloodshed is a constant happening now in the country. On the global scene, terrorism has assumed a frightening dimension.

    “Economic prosperity can only thrive in a relatively safe and peaceful environment. Therefore, governments must provide an enabling environment by ensuring the safety of citizens, organisations and institutions against threats to their wellbeing and prosperity of their communities.”

    “I am distributing security gadgets, specifically hand-held metal detectors to all churches, mosques, communities and schools in mainland Federal Constituency. This will check illegal entries into our places of worship, communities and schools. Someone with an evil intention who carries a weapon or bomb on his body will not go near where metal detectors are used to screen entrants.”

    Ajomale praised Jimoh for his kind gesture, urging other lawmakers to emulate him.

    Olowu said: “We must never joke with security. It is a collective enterprise. Other lawmakers and local governments should take up the challenge in their areas.

     

     

  • NURTW urges drivers to be security conscious

    NURTW urges drivers to be security conscious

    Lagos State Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Tajudeen Agbede has urged drivers to always be at alert at motor parks.

    He spoke against the backdrop of last week’s bombing at Nyanya Motor Park in Abuja by suspected Boko Haram members.

    According to Agbede, one of the measures to forestall bombing at motor parks is the removal of abandoned vehicles.

    “One way to keep bombers away is to make sure that we don’t allow abandoned vehicles in the parks. Our findings have shown that bombers always use abandoned vehicles to launch their attacks; such vehicles should be removed from the parks

    “Again, those operating in the parks should be conscious and report suspicious persons and individuals to security agencies,” he said.

    Agbede said he would visit the parks to ensure that members comply with the security instructions.

    The chairman also directed drivers to always obey traffic regulations.

    “They should always obey traffic rules to avoid having issues with law enforcement agencies. We must support and cooperate with government to ensure free flow of traffic in our areas of operation,” he said.

     

  • Police chief to traders: be security-conscious

    Aba Area Commander of the Nigeria Police, Mr. Peter Wagbara has called on traders and shop owners in the commercial hub of Abia State, and its environs to be security conscious.

    Speaking in his office during a meeting with stakeholders, chairmen and their executive from various markets located in Aba, Wagabra urged them to be vigilant and report to the police within their markets of suspicious objects and strange faces.

    The Aba Area Commander said it has become necessary that traders tightened up security around the markets and their shops and to be able to identify strange faces in the market owing to security reports that some people were planning to perpetuate mayhem in one of the markets in Aba.

    He said: “The police warn anyone who wants to cause disaffection among traders which would bring civil unrest in the market to desist from such act.

    “We have tried to ensure there is maximum security of lives and property in our markets and will not just seat and watch unscrupulous individuals to come and breach the peace existing in Aba, because they want to achieve their selfish aim.

    “I want to urge you to strengthen your internal security, know when to open and close the market. It will enable you to monitor the movement of people in and around the market.

    “You must guard your markets jealously and avoid acts capable of breaching the peace, law and order in your markets. Your property in the markets is worth millions of Naira and if for any reason it was destroyed, you will be the one that will bear the loss.

    “So, you are expected to collaborate with the police and report every incident and suspicious movements to the police so that police can take prompt action. Things dropped where they are not supposed to should not be neglected. Call and tell us. The police anti-bomb detecting department will be alerted to inspect such items before it will be disposed.

    “We have a robust patrol team that will always respond promptly to your emergency calls. All we are asking is for you to do your bit and alert the police whenever you are in doubt or suspecting anything around you.”

    In their separate speeches, the chairman Ariaria International Market, Mr. Lucky Akubueze, Director of Taskforce Ngwa Road Market Chief Friday J. Nwulu and Chief Agbawo Chidi thanked the police chief for his concern over the security of the traders.

    They promised to pass the message across to their members as soon as they go back to their respective markets, even as they promised to co-operate with the police in protecting their lives and property and also in ensuring that there was peace in various markets in Aba and its environs.

  • Communities must be security-conscious, says Fayemi

    Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi has said communities must be involved in the fight against insecurity.

    The governor spoke on Wednesday at the opening of a two-day Zonal Forum on Security Challenges and Peace Building in Nigeria, organised by the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

    The theme of the forum is: “Do the right thing and transform Nigeria”.

    Fayemi, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Ganiyu Owolabi, said scholarly works have proved that the best approach to peace and security is “bottom-up”.

    He said efforts must be made by the Federal Government to “reverse the journey to nowhere and prevent an imminent slide into the precipice of insecurity”.

    Fayemi said: “There is a direct correlation between security and socio-economic development. No meaningful development can evolve in the midst of crisis and untoward situations.”

    NOA Director-General Mr. Mike Omeri said Nigeria’s political class can ensure stability and peace through effective leadership.

    He said one of the consequences of the political class’ failure is insecurity, which “could be reversed when history is allowed to offer useful guide and lessons”.

    Omeri said: “The changing dynamics of a globalised world has not been matched with an equally changing value system, giving rise to the security and moral challenges witnessed in the country lately.”

    He said peaceful co-existence would be enhanced when citizens love and respect one another.

    The NOA boss said the event would “foster cross-cultural harmony among traditional rulers in Nigeria, promote inter-faith interaction during faith ceremonies and other special days”.

    Other objectives include “support for communities, organisations, women and youths to reinforce the core role of religion, culture and politics in promoting peace and respect for pluralism in the society”.

    Omeri said: “The Nigerian society is a melting pot of people with more than 400 cultures, languages, dialects and religions, as well as converging and diverging customs, interest, ethos and morals.