Imo Police Counter-Terrorism Commander Issues Critical Warning to Religious Leaders
CSP Gerald Udechukwu, a senior police officer and counter-terrorism expert serving as the Commanding Officer of the Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU) in Imo State, has issued a stark warning to religious leaders and congregants. He emphasized that Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) no longer resemble the obvious threats people typically expect, such as visible wires or disturbed soil, posing an increased and insidious danger to places of worship across the state.
Keynote Address at Interfaith Security Summit in Owerri
Delivering the keynote address at a one-day Interfaith Security Summit held in Owerri on Tuesday, Udechukwu urged heightened vigilance among attendees. The summit, themed “How to Identify, Manage, and Report Cases of Improvised Explosive Devices to Safeguard Worship Centres,” was convened by the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Audu Garba Bosso. It brought together top clerics from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Muslim communities to collaboratively develop strategies for protecting worshippers from emerging threats.
“The greatest weapon of an IED is normality,” Udechukwu told the gathering. “Gone are the days when explosives were easily identifiable by wires or disturbed soil. Modern IEDs can be hidden in everyday objects. Our focus must shift from spotting suspicious items to detecting unusual behaviour.”
Emphasis on Awareness Over Technology
Drawing on his extensive experience, which includes service in Operation Hadin Kai, the UN Peacekeeping Mission in Mali, and specialized counter-terrorism training, Udechukwu stressed that awareness and situational alertness are more effective than technology in preventing attacks. “The most dangerous IEDs are the ones that appear harmless,” he cautioned. “Curiosity can be fatal. Distance is your first protection. Terrorism often begins quietly, when vigilance fails, not with an explosion.”
He urged worshippers to respect safety protocols, maintain constant situational awareness, and report any anomalies immediately without attempting to intervene. “Do not try to be a hero. Keep a safe distance and alert the EOD unit or nearest police station. Recognizing a threat is often the first step to preventing an attack,” he advised.
Police Efforts to Secure Worship Centers
The summit underscores the Nigeria Police Force's intensified efforts, under the direction of the Inspector-General of Police, to collaborate with religious institutions and secure places of worship from evolving threats. This initiative aims to foster a proactive approach to security, leveraging community engagement and expert insights to mitigate risks in vulnerable settings.
