Before the dawn of the massive tide of insecurity, insurgency and terrorism in Nigeria, it never called to anyone's mind that our motor parks and other public places needed to be kept safe and secured. However, all that Nigerians experienced at the wake of terror has given much credence to the fact that we cannot discuss public safety and security without considering out motor parks and all public places. We have schools, churches, shopping malls, religious crusade venues, football viewing centers and many more as critical places where security of lives and property need to be maximally ensured. As the Nigerian Armed forces have almost annihilated the insurgent Boko Haram, unfortunately, the level of security and safety consciousness in public places have dropped back to its pre-insurgent times in Nigeria.
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| Church Security Check |
This post seeks to examine how safe and secured are these motor parks and public places in Nigeria. We intend to also look at the security and safety measures the management of these places and indeed Nigerians can adopt to maintain the security of lives and property of Nigerians. Acts of terrorism may have ceased but if we do not keep up with the safety and security maintenance culture, some other forms of miscreants may take advantage of it to unleash mayhem on unsuspecting citizens of this country, who use these public places.
Memories of Security Breach at Public Places
Let us recall that at the wake of terrorism and insurgency, much attention was drawn to the targeting of such public places as suitable places to unleash terror upon Nigerians. The Madalla Catholic Church Bomb blast in the Christmas of 2011, the series of motor park bomb blasts with some taking suicidal dimensions, the Abuja Banex Plaza bomb blast are few of such incidents which occurred in public places. Over 70% of the terror strikes by the insurgent Boko Haram took place at public gatherings.
This assessment now bring to fore, the need to keep up with the security and safety maintenance culture imbibed during the trouble times. It seems Nigerians forget so easily how news after more news of tragedy kept hitting the airwaves of how many lives were lost as a result of terror attacks in public places. Surprisingly, gong round notable public places in Nigeria, you will be amazed how security measures have been relaxed.
What Security Measures were Obtainable?
During the heat period of insurgency, no public place no matter how small existed without stringent security checks and balances. This ranges from metal to bomb detectors at entrances, car parking barricades, stern-looking security guards, active CCTV cameras and in some cases, individual thorough body search before entrance is gained. In addition, there were active phone hotlines provided by Nigerian security agencies to contact during security emergencies. Even churches became agents of security and safety tutorship. There was a high level of public security consciousness among all and sundry. Perhaps, it was such complimentary roles from these public social agents which kept up the fighting spirit of Nigerians against the deadly insurgent activities of the Boko Haram.
So why are we relaxing these security measures? The frank truth is that the Boko Haram insurgency is not the only form of public threat to lives and property. We have had cases of armed robbery and kidnap which unfortunately, is continuing in most parts of the country. Some of these heinous crimes are committed in broad daylight and at public places. Our Motor Parks, Banks and other public places no longer run thorough security checks on vehicles and people before granting them entrance. Hence I ask, how safe and secured are these motor parks, banks and other public places in Nigeria today.
There is every need to unceasingly carry on with serious security and safety measures in our public places. No one knows when terror may strike. But if our security and safety strategies are pro-active, Nigerians can successfully nip to the bud every form of insecurity in the country. Without sincere efforts by the public to compliment the efforts of the police, the military and other security agencies in the country, Nigerians may not yet experience the true joy of a lasting public peace and security.
Much attention should be given to the security details in Nigerian schools, motor parks, banks, churches and other public places to forestall any reoccurrence of the tragedies of the insurgent years. Nigerians are happy that its military is succeeding in combating and eradicating the insurgent book haram. However, many more need to be done to ensure that another hydra-headed form of insecurity does not spring up from any quarters. This can only be done if all quarters rise up to the challenge by ensuring that all forms of security and safety applications are put in place at all times.
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