Imo Police Commissioner Takes Proactive Steps to Fortify Security in Worship Centers
In a significant move to bolster safety, Imo State Police Commissioner, Audu Garba Bosso, has conducted a specialized training session for religious leaders, focusing on potential security threats and essential safety protocols. This initiative aims to create a more secure environment within worship premises across the state.
Interfaith Security Summit: A Collaborative Effort
The training was part of a one-day Interfaith Security Summit held at the Command’s headquarters in Owerri on Tuesday. Themed “How to Identify, Manage, and Report Cases of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) to Safeguard Worship Centers,” the event brought together Christian and Muslim clerics from throughout Imo State. Commissioner Bosso, represented by Deputy Commissioner of Police, Department of Operations, DCP Hamzat A. Abdulkadir, emphasized that this summit is a key component of the Command’s proactive policing strategy.
The primary goal is to strengthen collaboration with religious institutions and enhance the overall safety of worship centers. Bosso reiterated the Command’s dedication to proactive measures and highlighted the critical importance of partnerships with religious bodies in preventing security threats, particularly in places of worship.
Key Security Recommendations for Religious Leaders
During the summit, CSP Moses A. Ogini, Commander of the Anti-Bomb Unit, provided detailed guidance to participants. He instructed religious leaders on how to identify suspicious objects, implement appropriate response measures, and follow best reporting procedures. Ogini advised:
- Ensure effective access control and security checks at all times, especially at entrances and exit points.
- Maintain consistent inner and outer perimeter patrols.
- Monitor the movement of strange persons and visitors closely.
- Place routes used by VIPs under surveillance, particularly at areas prone to device planting, such as refuse dumps, overgrown grasses, and points where vehicles slow down or stop, like bends or road junctions.
Call for Continued Support and Collaboration
Commissioner Bosso also used the opportunity to appeal for unwavering support and collaboration from church leaders and other stakeholders in Imo State. He stressed that such efforts are essential to guaranteeing adequate security, peace, and stability throughout the region. This collaborative approach is seen as vital for long-term safety improvements.
Positive Feedback from Participants
Participants, including the State Chairman of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Evangelist Bethram Uzodinma, and the representative of the CAN President, Pastor Sam Akujiobi, praised the initiative. They underscored the need for sustained collaboration between security agencies and religious bodies to enhance security in Imo State effectively.
This proactive measure by the Imo State Police Command reflects a growing emphasis on community-oriented policing and interfaith cooperation to address security challenges in worship environments.
