The Nation Newspaper

Tag: security

  • Ugwuanyi swears in Security Council members

    Ugwuanyi swears in Security Council members

    Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has sworn in four new members of the State Security Council, urging them to address without delay the resurgence of violent crime in the state.

    The new members of the council include: Col. Osa Omoregbe, the Garrison Commander, 82 Division Nigerian Army, Air Commodore Emmanuel Festus Golit, the Commander 337 Base Services Group, Nigerian Air Force, Enugu, Mr. Abdul Malik, the Director of Security, State Security Services, Enugu and Mr. Lar Stephen Zwali, the State Commander, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Enugu.

    Uunderscoring the need to beef up security in the state, the governor noted that recent media reports of violent crimes being on the increase in the state.

    He said, “I, however, hasten to say that much as the state’s rating in the area of security remains enviably and comparatively high, I am certain that from recent media reports you would have observed that the incidences of such violent crimes as kidnapping, ritual killings, cultism and armed robbery has been on the increase in both the rural and urban areas of the state.”

    The governor said that he summoned the council meeting for the discussion on the undesirable development with a view to coming up with a plan of action and identify the necessary measures that would help address the situation promptly, effectively and satisfactorily.

    The governor assured the security agents of the state government commitment to provide the assistance and support that may be required in discharging their duties successfully.

    Ugwuanyi commended the Nigerian Armed Forces for the successes they have continued to record in their determined efforts to end the insurgency in the North Eastern part of the country and generally making Nigeria a safe place for all to live.

     

  • Rivers council boss blames security agencies for worsening crisis

    The Chairman of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, Hon. Austin Ahiamadu, has blamed the police for the spate of killings in the council area.

    It will be recalled that the area was turned into a theatre of war in the weeks leading to the last general elections, with several persons killed in the battle.

    But the killings have continued in recent time. Our correspondent gathered that in the last one week, about 14 persons have been killed in three communities in the council area.

    Ahiamdu, who spoke on the killings yesterday in Port Harcourt, said that despite several reports he made to the Divisional Police Station in the council area, the police have not done any meaningful thing to curtail the activities of the gunmen.

    He said that security agencies have refused to ensure the safety of lives and property in the area, adding that his role was to inform the police and not to go to the war zones with them.

    “Naturally, as a council chairman, you are the chief security officer, but you can’t go to war, yours is to issue order.  As a council, we have related with the security agents to do their job properly, if their job is not done properly, you don’t come back to blame the council chairman.”

    He also said that his council has made calls to both the state and Federal Governments to come to the aid of the council, but to no avail, pointing out that the area, which is the hub of oil and gas in this country, needs government intervention.

    Speaking further, he disclosed that the renewed violence in the area is traceable to politicians who, he said used the boys for electioneering and dumped them, saying the problem could be a carryover from political issues.

    When contacted on the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer in Rivers State, DSP Ahmad Muhammad, said, “I have been receiving calls on that, but the DPO of that area has not given me a clear picture of what happened. So I cannot comment on it yet.”

  • Day security agents raided Calabar brothel

    Day security agents raided Calabar brothel

    They did not expect it. So, it hit them hard. By the time the dust settled, 54 suspected prostitutes and 58 men suspected to be their customers were arrested in a raid carried out by the Cross River State Security Adviser, Mr Jude Ngaji, at Peace Garden Hotels located at No 1 Old Odukpani Road by Flour Mill, a popular red light district in Calabar.

    Three women suspected to specialise in recruiting unsuspecting young girls into prostitution were also arrested, Ngaji said.

    He said the raid was carried out between 11pm on Monday to 2pm on Tuesdayin  collaboration with State Area Command of the Nigeria Police where the girls, aged 13 to 25 and were caught in “compromising positions” with the men.

    •A room raided in the hotel
    •A room raided in the hotel

    Ngaji, who took reporters on a tour of the raided hotel, which was in poor sanitary condition, yesterday, said the girls were from Cross River and various neighbouring states, he said.

    He said the raid was necessary as the state frowns at prostitution, especially involving underage girls, and also that the place was a hideout for criminals. These he said were not good for the tourism profile of the state.

    His words: “We also arrested three women who normally bring these girls from other states and tell them to come and be nannies in Calabar and when they arrive, they are forced into prostitution.

    “These are the women who collect money from customers and supply the girls to service them. We also found CCTVs which we believe is used to monitor the girls so they don’t hide money or collect numbers from customers.”

    Ngaji said the government would not relent in its fight against prostitution and criminality. He said the matter has been transfered to the police for appropriate action.

     

     

  • HID: Security beefed up in Ikenne

    HID: Security beefed up in Ikenne

    Scores of armed security operatives – soldiers, Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps(NSCDC), on Sunday morning took positions at strategic locations at Ikenne, Ogun state.
    The operatives arrived the town as early as 6:30am to provide adequate security and ensure the safety of dignitaries – eminent Nigerians, trooping into the Ikenne to condole with the family of the matriarch of the Awolowo dynasty, Hannah Idowu Dideolu, who died on Saturday afternoon.
    Within and outside the prescint of the Awolowo’s sprawling country home, over a dozen security men were seen while at the street leading to the home, many could also be sighted keeping vigil.
    The Ilishan junction entrance to the town off the Sagamu – Ore expressway was manned by military patrol van and that of the Police’s Rapid Response Squad(RRS) positioned there to secure visitors entering and leaving Ikenne through that route.
    Dignitaries who have called at the Ikenne home to condole with the Awolowo family on Sunday morning included former Governor of Lagos state and Awo’s disciple, Alh. Lateef Jakande, ex – governor of Ekiti state, Dr Kayode Fayemi, former Works Minister, Chief Ebenezer Babatope and leader of the Afenifere Renewal Group(ARG). Hon. Wale Oshun.
    Those who called on Saturday were former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Acting Governor of Ogun state, Princess Yetunde Onanuga, Mrs Olufunso Amosun, ex – governor Gbenga Daniel and Secretary to the Ogun state government, Mr Taiwo Adeoluwa.
    Other sympathisers were the state Secretary of the Social Democratic Party, Alhaji Abimbola Awofeso; APC senatorial candidate for Ogun East in the last elections, Mr. Dapo Abiodun; Wife of the Governor, Mrs. Olufunsho Amosun, the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in the state, Gboyega Isiaka.
    Jakande and Fayemi eulogised HID Awolowo, saying she was a leader, mother and a source of positive inspirations who would be missed by the yoruba nay Nigeria.

  • Varsity dons to discuss security issues

    Professor John Idiodi, of University of Benin, Prof. Douglas Anele, of University of Lagos and Dr. Hussaini, Abdu are among the scholars billed to address a conference with the theme  National Security for a Better World and Need for National Re-orientation for Sustainable Development, scheduled to hold today at the Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja.

    The symposium, which is at the instance of Rosicrucian Order, AMORC, Lagos zone, is one of the activities lined up for its Annual Celebration of Virtues and commemoration of the Building of the Great Pyramid of Egypt, built over 3367 years ago.

    Prof. Isaac Alaba, a renowned consultant on culture and languages, will moderate the event that is expected to attract a cream of other scholars from different parts of the country.

  • ‘Nigeria’s private security regulation hazy’

    ‘Nigeria’s private security regulation hazy’

    Despite the prevailing high level of insecurity, Nigeria, still has unclear regulations for the private security sub-sector.

    The Chief Executive Officer, Risk Control Services Nigeria Limited, Olufemi Ajayi, made, this submission while receiving the ISO 9001:2008 certificate submission from the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) for his company.

    According to Ajayi, most of the regulations in the private security industry are still targeted at security guards, but the industry incorporates manufacturers, consultants and trainers.

    He urged the Federal Government to unveil a holistic policy for all players in the industry, saying:“The truth is that insecurity thrives in an atmosphere of disorder.”

    The company is the first and only security consulting company in West Africa that has submitted and obtained ISO certification for its background screening service.

    “Private security in Nigeria is not well-regulated. This is why we submitted to international standards,” he said.

    Insecurity, ranging from kidnapping, armed robbery to Boko Haram insurgency, has thrived in the country. Nigeria has, incidentally, relied on fewer than 400,000 police officers and few private security guards to protect its over 170 million population.

    Ajayi said for the sector to help improve security, its institution and rules must be strengthened, as his company’s quest for ISO necessitated a one-year rigorous process of systems enhancements and quality improvements under the supervision of our consultants and the guidance of auditors from  SON.

    He also revealed that his company has established an internationally acclaimed school for accredited National Diploma in Security Management,  Technology and IT networks and Electronic Security to train security managers.

    “Students from this academy will have basic knowledge in every area of security,” the CEO said.

    He further confirmed that National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), the body that regulates polytechnics and colleges of education, has given the academy a licence while accrediting two of its programs – Security Management and Technology, and. IT Networks and Electronic Security.

    Chairman of the company Tokunbo Talabi said, “Nigeria is a country of high risk.”

    According to Talabi, the government should create an enabling environment that will help institutions and organisations to thrive.

    “We need infrastructure provision to ensure that all spectrum of security is covered. International companies need to do business with our local businesses but they cannot do as much as they want to without authentic information on the companies the deal with, this is where we come in.

    Unfortunately our laws cover the rudimentary levels. We need to engage decision makers to ensure that this spectrum of security is fully covered,” Talabi added.

    Praising them, Director General, Standards Organization of Nigeria, Dr. Joseph Odumodu said a company that wants enduring foot print in economic competitiveness in these challenging times should aspire to get enlisted into the ISO certification. He said that remains the only way they can be recognized globally.

    “Quality for excellence has no destination and remains a moving target. Your product that won you the certification delivers various security solutions in all manner of forms to industries, banks, service industry and the manufacturing sector. There is a need for you to consistently improve on your services to retain the certification as the bedrock of the certification is integrity, quality, passion and professionalism.”

    The SON chief represented by the Director Management Certification, Mrs Oluremi Ayeni, an engineer commended the   management of Risk Control Services Nigeria Ltd, on their robust database that has the data of graduates from Nigerian universities and other tertiary institutions in the last twenty years. He said the feat is not only the first in West Africa but a platform to eliminate the hassles employers of labour go through to confirm claims by would be employees.

    Furthermore, he said the total security package of the company, which includes forensic, anti-counterfeiting and background screening, is more attractive as the top notch service.

  • AMORC holds symposium on security

    Advancing the course of National Security for a better world and need for national re orientation for sustainable development will be the major thrust of a symposium hosted by the Rosicrucian Order, AMORC on Saturday September 19, 2015 at the Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja.
    The event which kicks off at 9am is part of the activities lined up for the Annual Celebration of Virtues and commemoration of the Building of the Great Pyramid of Egypt over 3367 years ago by the Lagos Zone of AMORC, a cultural Educational and philosophical organization.
    It is expected to attract the cream of the society with seasoned scholars who will address the technical sessions. They include Professor John Idiodi, University of Benin, Prof. Douglas Anele, University of Lagos and Dr. Hussaini Abdu .
    The special guest of honor is Dr. Kenneth Idiodi, Grand Administrator and Director, Supreme Board of the Rosicrucian Order, AMORC, while the moderator for the August occasion is Prof. Isaac Alaba, a renowned consultant on Culture and Languages.

  • Nigeria needs security policy, says expert

    A risk mitigation and security expert has called for a policy to regulate the operations of security management companies and security equipment manufacturers.

    He regretted the lack of coordination and non-conformity to standards by the  security outfits in terms of service delivery and product manufacture.

    Managing Director, Risk Control Services, Nigeria Ltd, Mr. Olufemi Ajayi, spoke during the presentation of  ISO 9001: 2008 by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) on its product that screens the background of graduates from the tertiary institutions, with  records in some cases covering over 20 years.

    He said the service has replaced the strenuous procedure organisations go through to validate the academic records and qualifications of its intending and existing work force. He said his firm created the only extant and most robust information database to assist manufacturers, service industries, banks and financial institutions to run their outfits with competent and non encumbered staff.

    He said: “We invested our shareholders funds at the inception to create the only existing and most robust information database of graduates from many of Nigeria’s tertiary institutions with our records in some cases covering over twenty years; all accessible at the click of a button. This service has replaced the laborious process organisations hitherto go through to validate the academic records and qualifications of its intending and existing employee work force. This is an industry first.”

    Ajayi called for a policy to regulate the security firms,  noting that most of them are  only providing guards, which ranks least in the hierarchy of resources protection without any forensic aptitude on risk identification and mitigation.

    “We continued with this differentiation strategy to drive a reformative manpower development programme in the private security industry by establishing a security training academy, Risk Control Academy, aimed at developing a new set of security professionals adequately equipped and with the right mentality to understand and tackle the constantly evolving threats to companies operations. After a rigorous examination and audit of our facility and curriculum, the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), the body that regulates polytechnics and colleges of education, gave the Academy a license and two of our programs – Security Management & Technology, and IT Networks & Electronic Security were accredited,” he said.

    He said the firm won the ISO certification as a result of hard work and painstaking adherence to international standards.

    Speaking on the occasion, SON’s Director-General, Dr. Joseph Odumodu said a company that wants enduring foot print in economic competitiveness in these challenging times should aspire to get enlisted into the ISO certification. He said remains the only way they can be recognised globally.

    “Quality for excellence has no destination and remains a moving target. Your product that won you the certification delivers various security solutions in all manner of forms to industries, banks, service industry and the manufacturing sector. There is a need for you to consistently improve on your services to retain the certification as the bedrock of the certification is integrity, quality, passion and professionalism,” he said.

    Represented by the Director Management Certification, Mrs Oluremi Ayeni, the DG commended the   management of Risk Control Services Nigeria Ltd, on its robust database that has the data of graduates from Nigerian universities and other tertiary institutions in the last 20 years. He said the feat is not only the first in West Africa but a platform to eliminate the hassles employers of labour go through to confirm claims by would be employees.

    Furthermore, he said the total security package of the company which include forensic, anti-counterfeiting and background screening is made more attractive as the top notch service is for the ultimate benefit of the customer.

  • Kaymu assures on online security for shoppers

    Kaymu assures on online security for shoppers

    Kaymu, at her Entrepreneurs’ club seminar which took place at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Conference and Exhibition Centre in Lagos, has assured shoppers of protection against online fraudsters and hackers in the process of carrying out trading activities on its website. The Managing Director of Kaymu, Mr. Sefik Bagdadioglu, made this known in a chat with The Nation Shopping.

    “We take fraud very seriously at Kaymu. What we did is that we have created processes with checkpoints. For instance, when someone wants to sell an item on Kaymu, one of the things we offer is escrow services. So the seller sells it and buyers transfer money to an escrow account and we keep that money till the good is actually delivered to the buyer and the buyer is happy with it. Only then do we release the money,” he explained.

    The seminar with the theme:  ‘Empowering the New Generation of SME’, was organised for prospective owners and existing owners of micro, small and medium enterprises to encourage and train them on how to take their businesses to the next level through online platforms.

    Most of the participants of the seminar rated the event as “brilliant and benefitting”, claiming it impacted them with the right knowledge they needed for improving on their businesses like in areas of funding and all other areas. A prospective business owner, who simply identified herself as Mrs. Tonia, said, “Even though I just want to start my business and I am yet to make use of any online platform, the event so far has being interesting and worth trying”.

    Similarly, Mr. Okechuckwu Benjamin, a staff at Mintent Group of Companies, an online based business, said the event has proven to be an eye opener for him as it has added to his knowledge. To ensure that these entrepreneurs remain constant and improve in their service quality, they were urged to join various business associations like Chambers of Commerce, Bilateral Chambers of commerce and other trade associations, where opportunities that would be good for business would be made available and to improve networking with people already in the business.

    One of the facilitators at the event, Mr. Dele Alimi, advised interested entrepreneurs to be active and not dormant. “It is not just about joining as you must be active by attending meetings, seminars, workshops. You do not just pay your dues and sit in your office. You must also be proactive,” he urged.

    The event featured three sessions spread across equipping participants with the desired knowledge in sales, finance, management, marketing, customer service and telecom. Other facilitators at the training include Mr. Femi Akinrinade, Mr. Muyiwa Afolabi, Mr. Ibikunle Bolorunduro, Mr. Olufunbi Falayi, Mr. Abiola Fabio, Mr. Ademola Adewusi and Mrs. Chioma Agha.

  • Corporations, others to increase security spending by 25 per cent

    Corporations, others to increase security spending by 25 per cent

    A new view toward information technology (IT) security and the protection and its enablement has sparked a new wave of increase in security investment from 18 per cent it is today to 25 per cent over the next three years.

    In the industry, protection is still the main driver for security, but a new study released at the weekend showed that organisations understand that the application (app) economy demands a new view and approach to security.

    The study, sponsored by CA Technologies and 8 Steps to Modernise Security for the Application Economy as its title showed how mobility, Application Programme Interfaces (APIs) and an eye for growing business have brought a balanced view of control and enablement to security.

    Speaking on the study, BU Manager, Security, CA Southern Africa, Michael Horn, said:  “Today, we need to live in a security-first world – light-years from the days when security was an afterthought and bolted on after a service or application was deployed. With the application economy going full-throttle in the hyper-connected world of people, devices and expanding ambient data, businesses realise that security goes beyond protection. The same tools that govern who and what can access our data, also can deliver a frictionless and positive customer experience and contribute to business growth in a variety of ways.”

    The study showed that when it comes to mobility matters, improving the mobile customer experience was cited as a top security priority (42 per cent), second only to protecting against data breach (56 per cent). In addition, 49 per cent of respondents say mobility has a big or significant impact on security practices and policies with respect to customers.

    “We expect this number to expand as mobility, BYOD (bring your own device) and the Internet of Things (IoT) drive an increasingly “unwired enterprise” where perpetual connectivity adds a complexity and security risk that must be addressed for employees, customers and partners,” the report added.

    Success in the application economy requires businesses to innovate and release applications more quickly, and API-assembled apps will lead the way. To facilitate that need, 79 per cent of respondents are opening their data as APIs to accelerate mobile and web application delivery, improve customer engagements and open new revenue channels and opportunities. This adds new considerations to the protection factor of security.

    Similarly, 48 per cent of respondents recognise that business enablement is an important benefit of security and can drive growth.  Seventy-eight per cent of respondents have seen or expect to see increased revenue from new services enabled by improved security.