Ushers should be trained for security duties –Police

The Nigeria Police Force has urged religious leaders to do more to protect worshippers in the face of increased attacks by members of the violent Islamic sect known as the Boko Haram.

The police high command warned that since worship centres are no longer immune from “troubles, conflicts and violence” adequate efforts must be made to reduce the risk of terrorist attacks.

Police Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, in a post on his blog, frankmba.com, lamented that places of worship have become soft targets for terror groups due to the large number of congregants, as well as limited protection measures being put in place.

Mba said it was high time new roles were delegated to church ushers in the light of the current security challenges facing the nation.

Urging that “good looks” should not be the overriding criterion for appointing church ushers, the police spokesman advised that competence should be emphasised.

“The choice of places of worship as attractive targets of attack by terror groups is obvious. The possibility of mass casualty in the event of an attack is high. This is a big attraction for terror groups.

“Ushers in churches should be encouraged to perform additional security duties. They should be given extra training and briefing on security matters. Competency and individual pedigree, rather than mere looks should be the yardstick for appointing ushers,” he said.

Reeling out security tips to religious organisations, Mba stated that churches and mosques should establish a “security and safety committee” that will formulate security measures and work closely with security agencies.

Members of the committee, he said, should be volunteers with impeccable background who have a passion for safety and security.

For mosques and churches in high risk areas, Mba said proper vetting and background checks must be carried out on all prospective members to avoid “infiltration by enemies.”

According to him, the security and safety committee members may be saddled with the responsibility of carrying out risk assessment and vulnerability surveys that will enable them determine the level of risk the worship centre(s) are exposed to.

“Churches and mosques should establish a standard Security and Safety Committee. 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 training, workshops and seminars for committee members,” he added.

The police also enjoined religious organizations to invest in modern security gadgets, such as CCTV cameras, scanners, among others, while discouraging their worshippers against entering the worship centres with handbags, briefcases and other similar items.

Pointing out that worshippers must always be security-conscious, the police also said they should desist from clustering/loitering around the worship centres after services or Jummat prayers.

“Although we concede that the concept of absolute security is almost impossible, nonetheless, we believe that with adequate advance planning and systematic synergy among 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,” it added.

Also, in view of the recent Nyanya bomb blast in Abuja, the police have also provided security tips for the citizenry.

Writing on his blog, the police image maker said Nigerians should always check their surroundings for any dangerous or suspicious objects.

Advising Nigerians to be vigilant in public places as objects, such as bombs, can be dropped  by “unscrupulous persons,” he noted that the attention of the police or other security agencies should be drawn to vehicles parked by unknown persons.

He added, “Always report suspicious persons or movements within your neighborhood to the police through available means of communication. Owners of uncompleted buildings must clear them of undesirable elements such as vagabonds and hoodlums.

“Suspicious movements of unknown persons should be reported immediately to the nearest police formation. Besides know your neighbours: you must strive to know not only the person living in your house but in your surrounding environment. Find out their means of livelihood as every strange face must be probed.”