The Nigerian Army has said everyone
that applied to join the force in the latest
round of recruitment would be subjected
to thorough screenings by
psychologists
It also disclosed that anyone
participating in the recruitment might
have been previously recommended by
traditional rulers , Imams , local
community or religious leaders known to
them , and subjected to further scrutiny
by other professionals in fields that can
determine people ’s mindset to ascertain
the totality of such applicants .
Director , Army Information , Olajide
Olaleye , who confirmed this to Sunday
Independent , said the exercise, aimed at
adding to the current 150 , 000 men and
officers of the Army, would be holistic, to
ensure that people with questionable
characters and likely members of Boko
Haram are not recruited .
He said : “The local Imams , local
community and religious leaders and the
local government must recommend such
a person and we are also involving
psychologists , in attempt to assure that
the Army is not infiltrated by terrorists
and their allies”.
Olaleye ’s disclosure may not have been
convincing enough to Nigerians, as there
are fears that some members of the
deadly terrorist group may have actually
infiltrated the crowd of those recruited
into the Army.
The fears expressed by security experts
are hinged on the questionable character
of some desperate Nigerian politicians ,
which they said could undermine
strategies aimed at curbing insurgency
in the country .
Security consultant , Ben Okezie , who
fears that the process could be hijacked
by politicians , said , “ Whenever there is
recruitment , politicians will bring a long
list of thugs and those they want to use
during elections.
“ Is this not what happened in the Niger
Delta during the Amnesty programme ?”
he asked .
Okezie therefore , appealed that a special
task force , made up of serving and
retired security personnel , who are
indigenes of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa
states , be constituted to provide
intelligence on Boko Haram, since they
are conversant with their states of origin
and terrains .
The recent arrest of a Boko Haram
implant in the civilian JTF in Borno has
also raised apprehension that the sect
may be positioning some of its members
to participate in the recruitment and
actually getting them recruited.
Meanwhile, in South East Nigeria ,
indigenes are not leaving anything to
chance in terms of security .
Churches Imo State , which are now
believed to be the prime targets for
bombing , especially the Pentecostal
ones , have since procured equipments
to detect explosive substances, which
are being operated by local private
security outfits .
This is even as worshippers are now
subjected to rigorous search before
being allowed into the church on
Sundays . Motorists are also prohibited
from parking their vehicles adjacent
church premises .
With eagle eyes on all public institutions
by security agents , carrying of bags at
public functions has somewhat become
an anathema for fear of possible
explosion .
At the imposing state secretariat located
on Port Harcourt road , Owerri , civil
servants who own vehicles had been
issued with identity cards for easy and
unlimited entry into the secretariat , while
strange faces and visitors have been
banned from driving in.
The Central Bank of Nigeria ( CBN ) ,
which is adjacent to the secretariat
complex , has similarly beefed up
security within its premises , while the
hospitality industry under the aegis of
Hoteliers / Proprietors Association , now
screen their guests thoroughly before
offering them accommodation .
Heads of primary and post primary
schools have equally not been left out in
the mission of building impregnable
security networks in their schools .
Parents and guardians now bear official
identity cards issued by the schools
management as a prelude to collecting
their children and wards after school
daily .
Meanwhile, there was pandemonium in
Ikeja , capital of Lagos State , on
Saturday as rumuors that bomb was
planted around Medical Road area of
Ikeja filtered in the city.
When Sunday Independent visited the
Medical Road area, an unprecedented
crowd gathered at Ikeja bus stop under
the bridge , while another crowd also
gathered in from of Area ‘F ’ Police
Command , Ikeja , while so many were
hurrying out of the area.
As at the time of filling this report, it was
not established whether bomb was
actually planted anywhere in Ikeja or a
mere rumor. Effort to reach the
spokesperson of the Lagos State Police
Command , Ngozi Braide , on phone for
comments proved abortive , as several
calls put across to her were not picked .
However , authorities of the Nigeria
Police Force has warned that it has
gathered intelligence reports , which
indicated that terrorists had perfected
plots to carry out attacks on the Abuja
transport sector.
The attacks, according to the police,
were intended to cause panic among
Abuja residents and visitors alike.
A statement by the Force Spokesman,
Frank Mba, an Assistant Commissioner
of Police , noted that “the attacks are
planned to be perpetrated through
suicide bombings , or through the use of
Improvised Explosive Devices ( IEDs )
concealed in luggage , bags , cans , and
other receptacles .
“ The Police High Command , therefore ,
while ordering FCT Commissioner of
Police in particular and other CPs in
adjoining states, to beef - up security at
major parks around Abuja and its
environs , enjoins the general public,
particularly those within and outside the
Federal Capital Territory , Abuja , to be
roundly vigilant and report any
suspicious persons, objects , movements
or activities to the Security Forces
without delay. ”
The Police authorities have however ,
enjoined citizens not to panic as the
security forces are working round the
clock to neutralise and effectively deal
with the threat.
As part of additional efforts at
forestalling the attacks and
strengthening security around the
transport sector, the Police High
Command has advised the management
of motor parks to ensure that travellers
and workers ’ safety were given priority .
“ It charges them to constantly conduct
regular and routine scanning of their
environments , while insisting on carrying
out a thorough search on passengers
and their bags as well as vehicles
entering and leaving their parks .
It also advised that such searches must
have the active participation of the
passengers involved and warned that
any item or luggage unaccompanied by
any passenger must be rejected out
rightly and should not be allowed into
the vehicle.
The police also enjoined passengers to
be on the look- out for any passenger ,
who might come in with luggage, but will
attempt to disembark without such
luggage .
While operators of motor parks are
strongly advised to discourage overnight
parking of vehicles at motor parks ,
particularly by unknown persons , the
Police authorities further advised motor
park workers to reduce congestion at
the parks by disallowing the
indiscriminate parking of private cars ,
tricycles and motorcycles at the
precincts of motor parks .
The Police High Command further
advised that the general public in other
places outside the motor parks should
regularly monitor their environments,
stressing that , “ the terrorists may likely
shift attention having known that their
plots have been uncovered . ”

http://dailyindependentnig.com/2014/07/army-searches-terrorists-among-recruits/