CIVIL SECURITY: TRAINING AND AWARENESS IS THE KEY Daniel EDIEH* Security in a general term that refers to freedom from threats, fears, and dangers. Security remains an issue of concern worldwide and any country, organization, or individual that ignores the matter of security, does so at their own detriment. The level of insecurity that has pervaded all societies in most countries of the world, Nigeria inclusive, has brought security education to the fore. There are different types of security: food security, biosecurity, cyber security, homeland security, civil security, etc. In the domestic space, homeland security secures nations, sovereign entities, and their environment from hazards, internal or external natural or manmade. In organizations, Civil Security includes mechanisms and strategies put in place to protect the organization, its people, infrastructure, etc from danger. Today, civil security controls fall under three primary areas: management security, operational security, and physical security controls. The new concept of civil security is based on training, awareness, and general education. And players lay emphasis on the axiom that, security is everybody’s business so if you “see something, say something” Security operatives are charged with the responsibility of safeguarding lives and property but communities are encouraged to be a part of the security framework by reporting unknown or strange faces or untoward behaviours. Security as a profession has the goals of protecting, preventing, deterring, and maintaining peace and tranquility world over. The profession is founded on discipline and regimentation. The difference between Baze Security Personnel and conventional security officers is the bearing of arms and ammunition. Baze Security Personnel do not bear arms, they guard, guide and guarantee safety on campus. It is on this backdrop that the Baze University Security Department continuously organizes training and re-training exercises for security personnel and operatives to enhance job performance. In order to keep abreast of current issues that will enhance effective security and monitoring, all security personnel were recently trained by resource persons and instructors from the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Police. The retraining exercise covered many areas, including: General Duties and Responsibilities, Regimentation and Professionalism, You and The Law, Patrolling, Writing Notes and Reports, Bomb Threats, Access Controls and Alarm Systems, Traffic Control, Fire Alarm System and Reaction, First Aid, Human Relation among others. These topics covered both theory and practical. More than one hundred and twenty security operatives attended the staggered one-month long training. The Baze Security operatives also participated in technical and discussions sessions on security etiquette, physical strength, public relations, first aid and fire drills, etc. Thereafter, they committed to the following: a. partnership with every member of the Baze family, “one vision, one destiny” b. good human relations - a conducive and congenial environment without fear of molestation allows all players to do their work. c. clear rules of engagement - be polite, calm, friendly but firm with the public. d. high sense of justice and empathy in dealing with all. e. an Oath of Office. In order to continuously improve security service delivery and utilize the benefits of these rigorous trainings, I implore all members of the Baze community on the following: • always provide vital information about your environment; we are all partners in progress. • individual efforts should complement each other • maintain peace and tranquility at all times; carry out your duties without hindrance. • be security conscious at all times. • cooperate with Security Operatives
*Col. Daniel EDIEH (rtd). is the Chief Security Officer of the University. 67
