CHURCHES and mosques have been advised to establish standard security and safety committee whose members should be volunteers with impeccable backgrounds and a passion for safety and security. Proper vetting and background checks must be carried out on all prospective members to avoid infiltration by enemies.
The committee members should work closely with the local police authorities and other relevant security agencies in formulating appropriate security measures.
Force spokesman, CSP Frank Mba, who gave the tips while speaking to newsmen, said that the churches and mosques might consider the option of organising constant trainings, workshops and seminars for committee members.
According to him, ushers in churches should be encouraged to perform additional security duties while they should be given extra trainings and briefings on security. Competence and individual pedigree, rather than mere looks, should be the yardstick for appointing ushers.
Also, 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, the police said.
The force also said that churches and mosques should also make conscious efforts to know their members as this will make it easier for them to spot and identify strangers and intruders.
He said that 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. They are encouraged to go into the society and play positive roles in solving the problems of the community and changing the society for good. They must build bridges and build bonds.
“They should strive to build strong relationship with local security agencies (police, military, fire service, etc) and encourage seamless flow of information between themselves and the agencies.
“Worshippers should park their vehicles at designated distances away from the places of worship. Worshippers who reside close to the places of worship are encouraged to walk rather than drive to the worship centres.
This will reduce the number of cars around the worship centres.
“Worshippers should be discouraged from entering the worship centres with handbags, briefcases and other similar items while there is need for perimeter fencing of all places of worships to prevent invaders from gaining cheap access, especially during prayers/services.
“There is need for training of churches/mosques guards by the law enforcement agents to meet up with their responsibilities at their duty posts and are also advised to invest on modern security gadgets such as CCTV cameras, scanners, etc.
“The officials and worshippers at churches and mosques should be ready to partner and cooperate with the security agencies deployed to their places of worship on Sundays and Fridays.”
