Terrorism: CCC Trains Transport, Market Unions On Security Awareness

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.