Preventing terror attacks on prisons

IN June this year, a combined effort of the security agencies and the Lagos State Government led to a massive security sweep of some suburbs of Lagos, where some suspected members of the Boko Haram Islamic insurgency sect were apprehended before they could hit targets in the nation’s commercial capital.

Specifically, four suspects were arrested in the Orile-Iganmu area and charged with plotting to attack the Kirikiri Maximum Prisons in Lagos. One of the suspects is also being prosecuted for helping the sect monitor the activities of security agencies and reporting back to the terrorists.

This is yet another indication that though beaten back and put on the run, the nation’s number one arch enemy is still active and determined to spread terror and cause maximum panic in the system. They are looking for soft spots and exploiting every available laxity in the security system to hit back.

It should be clear even to lay people that the prisons are among the prime targets of terrorists and highly sophisticated robbery gangs. Some of their colleagues, who have been convicted in the courts are cooling their heels there, and some of these felons are their leaders and valuable hands. They would like to set these people free and further win for themselves the false air of invincibility.

It is for this reason that security at our prisons, particularly the high security ones, where the toughest criminals are being warehoused, must be guarded with the greatest sense of vigilance and sophisticated equipment possible.

Correctional professionals must upgrade their mentality to the needs of modern era plagued by tougher new crimes, such as terrorism waged by suicide attackers. Gone are the days when criminals regarded the prisons with awe. They now know that the prisons are among the least equipped in terms of arms, and that its officials are much easier to tackle than, say, military personnel.

Bearing in mind the havoc the society suffers, whenever prison breaks take place, particularly the freeing of suicide-ready terrorists, the system must wake up and fortify our prisons to meet the challenges of the moment.

It is high time we leveraged on the impending national conference to explore the possibility of decentralising correctional functions to enable states and even private security contractors to build and operate prisons just as it is done in many advanced societies. As the criminals specialise in their nefarious activities we must also adjust accordingly in order to stay ahead of them.

In these days of globalisation of crimes such as terrorism, we must explore every opportunity to align our correctional practices with the best in the world, protect our people and secure our nation.

[http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/11/preventing-terror-attacks-on-prisons]

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