The President of the Association of
Heads of Security of Tertiary Institutions (AHSOTI), Col. Umaru Tilde
(rtd), has appealed to the Federal Government and the National Assembly
to promulgate law that would allow its members to carry arms in the
nation’s tertiary institutions as a counter measure against terrorism
and other security threats in the institutions of higher learning.
Col. Tilde, who made the call last
Wednesday (December 3, 2014) while speaking with Unilorin Bulletin on
the sideline of a three-day Security Conference and Workshop organised
by the Association at the University of Ilorin, said that
constitutionally, members of the Association are not allowed to handle
weapons but only liaise with State Security Service (SSS) and the
Police should they encounter any security challenge on their campuses.
He however argued that it had become
imperative for the tertiary institutions’ CSOs to be allowed to carry
light weapons, as some tertiary institutions in the country have become
victims and targets of insurgency.
Col. Tilde noted that some tertiary
institutions in the country had recorded many casualties as a result of
Boko Haram attacks, lamenting that the campus security operatives had
been unable to effectively ward off attacks as they are not currently
allowed to carry arms in the institutions.
The AHSOTI President pointed out that
heads of security in tertiary institutions are experienced ex-servicemen
with competences and requisite expertise in handling weapons.
He said, “Majority of the heads of
security of tertiary institutions are ex-servicemen from the military
and para-military forces, who are well trained in weapon handling. They
have some larger percentage of their staff, who equally have the
training of handling weapons.
“Now, somebody has handled weapons for
over 30 years before retiring and then you start doubting him to hold
the weapon again. The earlier they have a rethink, the better so that
security officials in tertiary institutions can equally be screened.
Those proven to be well trained and they have not lost their values can
still hold weapons.”
Speaking on the theme, Security
Consciousness in Nigerian Institutions, Col. Tilde, who emphasised on
civilian facility in Nigerian schools, disclosed that the conference was
in line with the Safe School Initiative of the Federal Government,
“which is aimed at achieving “the four ‘Ds’ of target hardening: to
Detect, Delay, Deter, and Defeat the threat posed by sudden attraction
of terrorist, kidnappers and other agents of death to “Soft Targets”
like institution of learning in the Nigeria”.
Earlier, while declaring the conference
open, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. AbdulGaniyu
Ambali, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research,
Technology and Innovation), Prof. Gabriel Olatunji, appreciated the
efforts of Security Officers in the University of Ilorin, noting that
they are the first people mostly attacked and at risk.
Prof. Ambali said, “Security is top of the agenda in any part of the world, and in the University of Ilorin.
Hence, it is my belief that University of Ilorin and other universities
in Nigeria are trying their best on security issues, by providing all
they need so that they can perform their work effectively”.
The Vice-Chancellor, who described the
workshop as an avenue to broaden the knowledge of security officers on
security issues, assured that the University of Ilorin management would
always make sure that all security issues attract immediate attention.
In his remarks, the National Coordinator
of AHSOTI, Mr. Imarah Okpako, urged all tertiary institutions to
“launch with funfair, Campus Emergency Telephone numbers and Email
addresses which must be at the finger tips of all members of the
institutions’ communities”.
Mr. Okpako called for regular Security
Awareness Programme for all members of the institutions’ communities,
adding that security of lives and corporate assets should not be
sacrificed on the altar of lack of fund.
The Chief Security Officer of the
University of Ilorin, Mallam A. Tajjani, who thanked the University
authority for their support in hosting of the conference, said that the
conference has broadened their knowledge and added value to their
security skills in ensuring non-violent and secured campuses.
CampusCamerazzi Team
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