Nation
Insecurity: Ex-AIG Wants Security Education in School Curriculum
Retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), Felix Ogbaudu, has called for review of school curriculum at all levels of education to include security education.
Ogbaudu in an interview with The Tide’s source in Abuja said the review had become imperative in view of the level of insecurity in Nigeria.
He said with the new dimension to insecurity in Nigeria in recent times, security matters could no longer be left solely in the hands of security agencies.
According to him, the insurgent tactics being deployed by the enemies of state was a wakeup call to sensitise the public on how to identify sinister moves in their communities.
Another benefit of making security education part of primary, secondary and tertiary institutions’ curricular, he explained, is learning skills on how to report criminal activities to security agencies among others.
“I am suggesting that we include security education in school curriculum from primary, secondary and tertiary levels.
“This is to teach our children their dos and don’ts in terms of security because it is important for them to know what to do and what not to do at a given time.
“They should also be taught to see something and say something, and I want to add, if you hear something say something, but what you hear you must verify,” he said.
On illegal firearm possession, he said drastic action must be taken to mop up such arms because of the danger they pose to the society.
“I am appealing to government to sensitise members of the public using all avenues including print and electronic media, mosques, churches, town criers in the local communities and all of that.
“The message should be that anyone in possession of an illegal firearm should surrender it to an unidentified location.
“Once the instruction is given, a timeframe of six months should be given and there should be a warning that at the expiration of six months anybody arrested with firearm that is illegal will face death penalty.
“That means possession of illegal firearm will be a capital offence,” he said.He said once the window for mop up is over, the National Assembly should enact a law making possession of illegal firearm a capital offence with strict liability offence.
According to him, once the law is enacted and it comes into effect, people should be sensitised to be careful in assisting people with luggage to avoid being implicated.
Ogbaudu called for an amendment to the section of the Constitution that provides for presumption of innocence.
He said the amendment should be “except caught in the act”.
“Being caught in the act is enough evidence to prosecute an offender.
“For instance, someone caught shooting at another person should not be presumed innocent because such a person was caught in the act.
“Unfortunately lawyers are not helping matters.
“Prof. Itse Sagay said this a long time ago that lawyers are not helping matters because they always fail to tell clients the truth.
“If your case is bad, tell your clients what the provisions of the law say about their case even when it will not be favourable to them not because they are going to be paid millions.
“That is why you see that some matters that start in Magistrate Court, go to Court of Appeal, down to Supreme Court and in some cases linger beyond 20 years,” he said.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Lagos State Council has thrown its weight behind the proposed industrial action by the Lagos State-owned media organisations.
The proposed industrial action is set to begin on Monday, Jan. 13.
In a letter jointly signed by the Lagos State NUJ Chairman, Mr Adeleye Ajayi, and the Secretary, Mr Tunde Olalere, on Thursday, the union expressed its support for the strike.
The letter, dated Jan. 9, was addressed to the General Manager of Lagos Television, Agidingbi, Ikeja.
The NUJ, along with the Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Worker’s Union (RATTAWU) of the Lagos State Broadcasting Corporations, including Lagos Television, Radio Lagos/EKO FM, and Lagos Traffic Radio, had announced the proposed strike.
They said this was in response to the non-payment of the minimum wage and integration into the Oracle database by the state government.
The union leadership stated that it was fully aware of the several discussions, congresses, and notices given to the state government regarding the need for state-owned media house workers to be integrated into the Oracle database.
“You will agree with the union that these were enough notices given to address the issues at stake,” the letter read in part.
The leaders recalled that an initial 10-day ultimatum was issued, followed by a 21-day ultimatum, and finally, a seven-day final ultimatum.
“It is imperative that our members working in the state-owned media organisations should also enjoy the new minimum wage like other workers of the state,” the NUJ stated.
The union further noted that the revenue generated by state-owned media organisations could no longer sustain the payment of workers’ salaries and benefits, highlighting the urgent need for the state government to intervene for their survival.
“The welfare of our dear members is paramount and this is why the union deems it fit to support and pledge solidarity with our members going on strike,” the union stated.
The union also acknowledged the commitment and dedication of protesting workers to their duties in propagating state government policies and activities, stating that such dedication should be rewarded by the state government.
“The union, therefore, advises that only an amicable resolution and approval of the demands of our members can stop the industrial action,” the union stated.
The new Rivers state commissioner of police ,CP Olugbenga Adepoju has assured that his administration will remain apolitical in the discharge of his duties in the state.
Adepoju who officially assumed office last Friday as the 47th police commissioner of police stated this during his median press briefing held at state police command over the weekend in Port Harcourt.
He assured that under his watch as the police helmsman in the state his administration will ensure protection of human rights and warn that any police officer who violate the rights of people will be sanctioned in accordance with the police act and
urged Rivers people to hold the Police accountable, share view of people with police.
“We are committed to transparency.
My priority is to ensure safety, security and welfare of all residents in the state.
Being an economic hub of the country,the state faces challenges of crisis from political interest, economic sabotage illegal oil bunkering.
“I will ensure Rivers people sleep with their two eyes close. I have what it takes to keep the command safe.We do Intelligence gathering work with community and public engagement to proactively prevent crime.We have meetings and seminars with members of the public.”
“We will enforce discipline and ensure zero tolerance for corruption.I have my team.I will put them to work.There will be improvement on the part of my officers.
“We will Combat youth restiveness and cultism, oil theft, environmental crime. we will work with other agencies to ensure is reduce to the barest minimum.
“We will enhance response time and police visibility. We do all we can for our men to respond to distress call in time. We will deploy more men in metro. More visibility policing.
“We will address land grabbing issues.We will work with our legal team. If we have to partake in any execution order, we will look at it critically.
“We will enforce all vehicle regulations with human face. Especially tinted glasses. We may excuse those that have it from the factory. Either the vehicle will be impounded, the tinted glass removed or they are charged to court.
“Our men will not violate rights of citizens. If there is any violation of rights, it should be reported to the police for necessary actions. Our men will be more professional and polite to the people “he stated
CP Adepoju however urged residents of the state,the media and all necessary stakeholders to give the Police the relevant cooperation and support for effective policing of the society.
Akujobi amadi
The Rivers State Police Command says it has acknowledged a social media report on alleged assault of a lady by police officers along Evo Road, Port Harcourt.
A statement signed by the police public Relations Officer (PPRO),SP Grace Iringe Koko in Port Harcourt, yesterday said the police acknowledged the report of such alleged assault and invite the lady involved to visit the command so as to enable the command to commence investigation with a view to apprehend the officers involved.
“We urge the lady involved to visit the Police Headquarters to enable a thorough investigation into the matter. This step will assist us in identifying the officers involved and ensuring that appropriate actions are taken.”
“The Command appeals to members of the public to cooperate with police officers during stop-and-search operations, as these measures are essential in combating crime and maintaining security.”
“We also encourage residents to report any misconduct by police officers through the following channels:
• PPRO: 0816 135 5218
• Control Room: 08032003514, 08098880134
• Complaint Response Unit (CRU): 07057605256, 08120822987, 07072323049, 07057605209”
“Your cooperation is vital in helping us maintain accountability and professionalism within the Rivers State Police Command.
Thank you.”
Akujobi Amadi
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