Police, broker partner to identify terrorist targets

Business Nov 3, 2009 By Patience Saghana

Nigerian Police in collaboration with Pinnacle Insurance Brokers Limited has concluded arrangement for a dialogue to identify probable targets of terrorism with the aim of exploring grey areas and proffering solutions on counter measures.

The parley between the police and the broker present a welcome opportunity to correct shortcomings and fill gaps in the fight against terrorism by offering a comprehensive framework for a coherent international response to terrorism.

The dialogue which is billed for December at the Musa Yar’ Adua Conference Centre, Abuja will give priority attention to addressing underlying conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism, such as poverty, prolonged unresolved conflicts, dehumanization of victims of terrorism, ethnic, national and religious discrimination, political exclusion, socio-economic marginalization and lack of good governance among others.

Nigerian government has continued to condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations as the government view acts of terrorism as threats to international peace and security.

It was in this light that President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua asks the National Assembly to enact legislation against terrorism, the Nigerian Police has begun moves to equip itself and key security agencies with safety measures
In president Yar’ Adua’s letter dated October 12, 2009 to the two chambers of the National Assembly, Senate and the House of Representatives, he explained that the law became necessary to combat terrorism and kidnapping.

The bill, which contains 34 sections, explains acts that constitute terrorism to include “any person who knowingly – does, attempts to do an act preparatory to or in furtherance of an act of terrorism; or omits to do anything that is reasonably necessary to prevent an act of terrorism; or assists or facilitates the activities of persons engaged in an act of terrorism, commits an offence.”

The strategy also emphasizes the imperative for respecting human rights and promoting the rule of law as a sine qua non to the successful combating of terrorism and the implementation of the Strategy
eria has ratified 9 of the universal instruments against terrorism including the Amendment to the
Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Materials, which was ratified in April 2007, while the
remaining instruments are at different stages of ratification. When passed into law, the Terrorism
Prevention Bill currently before the National Assembly will address all wider issues such as incitement to commit terrorist acts, freezing, confiscation and repatriation of terrorist-related funds assets. Pending the enactment of the Bill, relevant constituent elements of the Criminal and Penal Codes and the Criminal Procedure Act (CPA), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Act (2004) and the Money Laundering Act (2004) are relied upon for the prosecution of terrorist offences

Just as President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua asks the National Assembly to enact legislation against terrorism, the Nigerian Police has begun moves to equip its self and key security agencies with safety measures.

Organisations and Agencies that would be at the forum to brainstorm on the safety of Nigerians and assets include personnel from the Banking Industry, Telecommunication companies, Oil and Gas companies, Industrial Sectors, State Governors and Local Government offices, the Military and all security Agencies