The advice from the Ministry of National Security to organisers and patrons of upcoming events in the Xmas festive season to put in place measures that would enhance security during the period is very critical.
For the ministry, the advice has become necessary because of the emerging security threats in the nation’s neighbouring countries, particularly terrorism.
We agree with the ministry but think that alone must not be the reason because criminal elements within the country also can take advantage of security lapses to commit other crimes like mugging and assault on revellers, and robbery at homes where occupants have left for certain programmes.
Since advice on security measures is needed in everyday life, we see the current advice as one needed for a special occasion, Christmas.
This is a period noted for its happiness for a number of reasons such as reunion of family members, church activities and various entertainment events which usually call for gathering, the fertile ground for all manner of crime to fester.
We, therefore, think even churches must heed the advice the more because of the huge crowds they pull for their activities during the Yuletide.
We urge churches that are already security-conscious to do more, but for those that are not, we want to remind them that it will be an error for them to continue to compromise their security in the erroneous belief that only “the children of God” would patronise their activities.
We accept the fact that hospitality facilities and all event organisers should invest in appropriate and fit-for-purpose equipment to enhance security, but the advice on the need to build cooperation with the security agencies is equally important, if not more.
Our conviction is that security has become so much important in present times than ever before and so it will take expert advice to take the appropriate measures to prevent or counter certain criminal moves or acts and the expert advice can only come from those trained in security.
Certainly, it will be difficult to prevent or quell all crimes, but it is possible to plug the known loopholes and reduce crime.
It is good news to hear that the security agencies would continue to provide advice on specific security and safety issues through training and capacity building for the public.
This is important because security-consciousness of the populace has become more important now than ever before.
Today, everyone needs to have the basic idea of how to detect or suspect crime and prevent it, so the National Security and the security agencies, particularly the police, should begin to organise programmes, particularly at the community level, to raise the security awareness of the people.
This is one of the surest way to make everyone accept the fact that security anywhere is shared responsibility and that precaution begins with the individual.
In fact, this is also a way that will help strengthen the “See something say something” campaign being run in the country.
We hope that both individuals and event organisers would follow all the necessary security measures while security personnel monitor the scenes before, during and even moments after the Yuletide to safeguard the peace and security in the country
