They should put necessary security measures in place and if possible, seek support from security agencies, military and Amotekun.
Religious leaders in Ekiti State have called on the state government to live up to its constitutional responsibilities of providing security for the people and as well basic amenities.
The Deputy President, Nigeria Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs, Ekiti State, Tajudeen Ahmed, described as unfortunate the call by the state government on worship centres to put necessary security measures in place to avert attack.
According to PUNCH, Ahmed said, “The constitution is very clear on who should provide security to the people. The primary duty of government is to provide security for the people. Government should not be directing the people to go and do that job.”
The Special Adviser on Security to Ekiti State Governor, Brig. Gen Ebenezar Ogundana (retd.), had while listing measures the state government had taken to avert terrorists’ attack in the state, said loopholes in borders had been blocked.
Ogundana added, “We have alerted all the places of worship, event centres and markets to be security conscious and not to take things for granted. They should put necessary security measures in place and if possible, seek support from security agencies, military and Amotekun.”
But Ahmed, who said there was no security measure that worship centres would put in place that could totally forestall any untoward development like the one that happened in Owo, said, “The type of attack that happened in Owo is such that for any religious centre to be able to combat such, it must be provided with security agencies.
“Such security agencies must be the ones that can detect and repel people who come with ammunition. The security agencies must be the ones that have equipment and they are the police or military men that have the gadgets,” the NSCIA deputy president said.
Also, the immediate past chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, Ekiti State Branch, Rev. Fr. Peter Olowolafe, said the issue of technology, including installation of Close Circuit Television, was among the advice given by the state government.
He maintained that regular power supply was key for the CCTV to work perfectly.
Olowolafe, who handed over as Ekiti CAN chairman on Friday, said, “The problem we have in the area of CCTV is that most of our communities do not have power supply. For instance, where I live in Omuo Ekiti, for almost six years, there is no light. If I install CCTV, maybe I will go for solar.
“But how many of our churches can afford that money to buy the equipment and provide light at the same time? That is where we call on the government to provide basic amenities so that life will be easier for people, so that when they have some equipment with them, they will be able to use them,” the cleric said.