Image caption: Alaaje of Aaje Ologo Oba Reuben Adesina Amao
Take security as serious business, Alaaje charges govt, urges on installation of CCTVs in schools
Jeremiah OYELEKE
Alaaje of Aaje Ologo, Ogbomoso North local government area of Oyo state, HRH Oba Reuben Adesina Amao Osunbiyi I JP, fss, on Monday took retired civil servants through the nitty-gritty of measures to take to avoid being victims of kidnapping and other insecurity risks that have become pervasive in the country.
Oba Amao, who retired as State Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), emphasized that governments at various levels should take security of life and property as a serious business just as he charged on the need to begin installation of CCTVs especially in areas prone to insecurity.
He noted these would help to curb incessant abductions in schools, while hammering on vigilance, intelligence, credible information, good relationship with security agencies among others as other tips to forestall security mishaps.
The event which held at Ogunlola Hall, Oja’gbo, saw many members of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners Civil from across the five local governments in Ogbomoso zone attending, with several of them while speaking with ogbomosinsightonline.com, commending the guest lecturer for “a job well done.”
Advertisement – click to explore WORLD of Tulcan Energy
Titled, “Kidnapping/abduction’s preventive strategy,” the lecture, according to Oba Amao, who is founder of Ebun Asake Widowhood Foundation, is aimed at minimizing “the number of widows, widowers and orphans, through avoidable security awareness lectures.”
Sequel to highlighting roles of various security agencies such as the military, police, DSS, National Drug Enforcement Agencies (NDLEA), Civil Defence, Custom Services, immigration and paramilitary organizations such as Amotekun, OPC, vigilante etc, he underlined that “terrorism is no respecter of political, religion or tribal affiliation,” stressing, “It only speaks violence. It is a monster that has penchant for sucking blood. Hence, security must be taken as a serious business by all.”
Oba Amao identified terrorists as “unknown gunmen, kidnappers, abductors, armed banditry, Fulani herdsmen and farmers, armed robbers and all kinds of human beings that take drugs etc to create fear and extort lawful citizens,” while mentioning tips against kidnapping as installation of CCTV cameras at homes for monitoring of environment, keeping emergency numbers on phones, refraining from giving mobile numbers to strangers or displaying same on social media, putting peephole in doors to identify people knocking before opening doors, ensuring locking of all doors at all time especially if you do not have fence or gate, be careful with conversations in public places to avoid bragging about your possessions such as money you have and alertness to suspicious or unusual behaviours in your vicinity.
Others according to the security expert are to keep bags safe whether in the office, car or home, avoid huge cash transactions, avoid carrying black nylon or brown envelopes as they may attract criminals, be discreet in philanthropic gestures as well as installation of CCTV in schools.
He urged parents to teach their children to refrain from admitting strangers into their homes, be familiar with local emergency phone numbers, familiarize themselves with their children’s friends, avoid blind dates, opening mails or packages, giving personal information to strangers or on phones etc.
The security expert who coordinated the security architecture during the visit of American President Bill Clinton to Nigeria in the 2000s also advised locks to homes to be of good quality, avoid keeping keys outside the home, avoid barring windows especially the bedroom’s with permanent burglar proofs as such windows may serve as exit channels during emergency, homes be armed with fire extinguishers and have flash light readily available.
He concluded, “In as much as we do not carry arms, we should be vigilant, use intelligence and credible information to minimize crime and as well link up with security agencies including neighbourhood watch.”
Speaking on the rationale for the programme, chairman of the pensioners, Prince Moses Oyetunde Adeleke JP, said they put up the programme to arm their members with tips on how to avoid falling victims of kidnapping for ransoms in view of their advanced age.
“We organized the programme in view of the widespread insecurity in the country, to enlighten our people on how to secure themselves, you know majority of us are above sixty and we are senior citizens, we cannot run as young men and women.”
Disclosing their membership covers retired civil servants in the Oyo state government employ including teachers, health workers, ministry officials, and parastatals officials and agencies, he added, “Specifically we want our members to know how they can protect themselves as a result of the risk of insecurity in the country. Kidnapping for ransom, killing and attacks have become rampant, we need to know to protect ourselves and families.”
Prince Adeleke lauded Alaaje for “his wonderful lecture,” saying members are appreciative and would abide by his teachings while expressing hope members who he noted came from the five local governments in Ogbomoso zone would disseminate the lecture to all nooks and crannies to improve security situation generally in the zone.
