(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - The Nigeria Police have recommended the setting up of standard security committee by churches and mosques nationwide to work with the police in protecting them against attacks.Deputy Force Public Relations Officer Frank Mba stated this in a statement he issued yesterday in Abuja.Mba said that members of such committees 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.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.He said: “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.“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.”/129
source : Daily Trust
Tuesday
26 June 2012
7:30:00 PM
325075
The Nigeria Police have recommended the setting up of standard security committee by churches and mosques nationwide to work with the police in protecting them against attacks.