The Nigeria Police on Tuesday recommended the setting up of Standard Security Committee by Churches and Mosques nationwide to work with the police in protecting them against attacks.
This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja by the Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Frank Mba.
He said that members of such committee should be made up of volunteers with impeccable background and passion for the safety of their fellow worshippers.
He added that proper vetting and background check should be carried out on all of them to avoid being infiltrated by “enemies.”
``The committee should work closely with the local police authority and other relevant security agencies in formulating appropriate security measures to protect places of worship,’’ he said.
Mba said that churches and mosques were supposed to be hallowed places of spiritual and religious gatherings and safe havens during crises and wars but had been targeted for attacks by terrorists.
``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.’’
He said that the places of worship became targets of attacks because they had limited protective measures and absence of access control as worshipers were not required to provide any means of identification before being allowed in.
Mba named absence of physical security gadgets such as Close Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras as another factor making them to become `soft targets’ to criminal elements.
``Churches and Mosques provide a pool of large crowd. Consequently, the possibility of mass casualty in the event of an attack is high. This is a big attraction for terror groups.
``Any attack on a place of worship is considered sacrilegious. It will, therefore, elicit mass condemnation and extensive media coverage. Terror groups savour such free and elaborate coverage.
``Because of the sensitive nature of religion, an attack on a church or mosque can easily provoke hatred, suspicion and reprisals amongst the various religious groups.
``When that happens, there could be breakdown of law and order. Such state of lawlessness, even if temporary, fitted into the desire of terrorist organizations,’’ the News Agency of Nigeria quoted the force spokesman as saying in the statement.
He said the police had also recommended to officials of places of worship, to carry out ``risk assessment and vulnerability surveys’’ to determine the risk they were exposed to.
According to him, factors to be considered in such assessment include location, analysis of their neighbourhood demography, size and architectural design, population and access roads.
He advised that ``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.”
The police boss encouraged officials of churches and mosques to build strong relationship with local police and other security agencies to encourage seamless flow of information.
In addition, he said that worshippers should be encouraged to park their vehicles at designated distant places when coming to service.
He stressed the need to discourage worshippers 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,” Mba advised.
He said that members of such committee should be made up of volunteers with impeccable background and passion for the safety of their fellow worshippers.
He added that proper vetting and background check should be carried out on all of them to avoid being infiltrated by “enemies.”
``The committee should work closely with the local police authority and other relevant security agencies in formulating appropriate security measures to protect places of worship,’’ he said.
Mba said that churches and mosques were supposed to be hallowed places of spiritual and religious gatherings and safe havens during crises and wars but had been targeted for attacks by terrorists.
``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.’’
He said that the places of worship became targets of attacks because they had limited protective measures and absence of access control as worshipers were not required to provide any means of identification before being allowed in.
Mba named absence of physical security gadgets such as Close Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras as another factor making them to become `soft targets’ to criminal elements.
``Churches and Mosques provide a pool of large crowd. Consequently, the possibility of mass casualty in the event of an attack is high. This is a big attraction for terror groups.
``Any attack on a place of worship is considered sacrilegious. It will, therefore, elicit mass condemnation and extensive media coverage. Terror groups savour such free and elaborate coverage.
``Because of the sensitive nature of religion, an attack on a church or mosque can easily provoke hatred, suspicion and reprisals amongst the various religious groups.
``When that happens, there could be breakdown of law and order. Such state of lawlessness, even if temporary, fitted into the desire of terrorist organizations,’’ the News Agency of Nigeria quoted the force spokesman as saying in the statement.
He said the police had also recommended to officials of places of worship, to carry out ``risk assessment and vulnerability surveys’’ to determine the risk they were exposed to.
According to him, factors to be considered in such assessment include location, analysis of their neighbourhood demography, size and architectural design, population and access roads.
He advised that ``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.”
The police boss encouraged officials of churches and mosques to build strong relationship with local police and other security agencies to encourage seamless flow of information.
In addition, he said that worshippers should be encouraged to park their vehicles at designated distant places when coming to service.
He stressed the need to discourage worshippers 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,” Mba advised.
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