The Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC) has taught some selected market and transport union executives on how to Observe; Act; and Call for Help in continuation of its sensitisation awareness campaign against terrorists’ attacks in markets and motor parks around the Federal Capital Territory Abuja.
Officials of market unions and National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) gathered inside the CCC office in Jabi District where a renowned expert in Conflict and Peace Building as well as Security Studies, Air Commodore Darlington Abdulahi (retired) conducted them through a comprehensive security awareness drill.
Executive Secretary of CCC, Air Commodore Yusuf Anas (Rtd) in his opening remarks expressed the hope that the sensitization programme will assist participants, as first responders, to handle emergencies when security breaches especially terrorist attacks, occur before the arrival of security agencies.
“The Centre believes that the fight against terror has reached a stage where information gathering and sharing is most paramount. We have seen and continue to witness how the terrorists who have been dislocated from their camps are now resorting to bombing of soft targets like markets, motor parks, worship places, etc, as a way of continuing their evil campaign.
Anas recalled that not too long ago, Abuja suburbs were rocked by multiple bomb blasts by terrorists at Kuje and Nyanya in which scores of Nigerians became unfortunate victims.
“This desperate measure on the part of the insurgents calls for even more concerted efforts from all of us to play our own part towards creating and spreading security awareness among ourselves.
“The essence of this security sensitization meeting is to complement the effort of the military and other security agencies in deepening security consciousness among our citizens.
“We realise that the government or the security agencies alone cannot create and spread security awareness. After all, security as they say is everybody’s business. So, part of what we do is to share security tips with the general public with a view to helping you improve on your existing security procedures and to enhance synergy and coordination with security and response agencies.”
The Centre he disclosed, intends to cover all the major markets and motor parks in the FCT. In addition to planning to sensitise other market and road transport unions in Nyanya/Karu, Kubwa/Dei Dei/Zuba, and Kuje/Gwagwalada axis among others on security awareness.
“Similarly, we intend to also visit the Keke Napep Unions and their members as well as primary and secondary schools to help spread security awareness around the FCT, he disclosed.
Darlington taught the participants on how to recognize sighs of a bomb; how to recognize signs of a suicide bomber; what action to take on sighting suspicious objects/improvised explosive devices and who to contact thereafter.
