…Urges banks, private sector players to key into programme
Nigeria’s Federal Government said Monday it was prepared to provide the enabling environment for private sector initiatives aimed at tackling the rising insecurity in the country.
This is coming on the heels of Monday night’s shooting of 16 worshippers by unknown gunmen who invaded the Deeper Life Church at Otite area in Okene, Kogi State. Many people were wounded.
The Commander of the Joint Military Task Force in Lokoja, Lt-Col. Gabriel Olorunyomi, confirmed the incident.
He said 15 worshippers died instantly in the attack while another died on the way to the hospital.
The commander said that many injured persons were rushed to hospitals in Lokoja, a distance of 40 minutes driving on the road from Okene.
He said the casualty figure might rise considering that some sustained heavy injuries, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
Minister of Interior, Abba Moro, who spoke at the opening of a 5-day Advanced Security Training Programme on Homeland Security held at the Public Service Institute of Nigeria, Abuja organised by Messrs Team Spirit Consult Nigeria Limited (TSCL) and their technical partners, Galilee International Management Institute (GIMI), Nahal Isreal, said the programme demonstrates the readiness of Nigerians to take the right steps in moving the nation forward.
He said Federal Government would endorse such initiatives aimed at building the capacity of the civil society to effectively respond to security threats.
“My hope is that this training will not end with just this batch. Nigeria is a country of over 160 million people and 36 States plus FCT with countless organisations the need to entrench homeland security in our respective microcosmic communities which can be made to fit into the larger government security programme cannot overemphasized.
“I therefore call on the organisers, Messrs Team Spirit and Israeli partner to assure us of continuity and sustainability”, he said noting that federal agencies were prepared to partner and benefit from the programme.
He urged banks, universities and other agencies to take advantage of the programme to ensure national security.