House Seeks Deployment Of Sophisticated Explosive Detectors At Check Points

BEVERLY HILLS, CA, June 03, (THEWILL) - The House of Representatives Tuesday called for the installation of sophisticated explosive detectors at various security checkpoints in the country in order to prevent Boko Haram from accessing areas to bomb people.

The call came on the heels of the adoption of a motion by Hon. Emmanuel Jime, (APC,Benue) on the 'Need to introduce explosives detection devices/portals on the high ways in lieu of the manual check points in place.'

In his lead debate on the motion, Jime noted that section 14(2) (b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, provides that security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of Government.

According to the lawmaker, the current security challenges facing the nation where extremist attacks are no longer confined to political and military targets, but are now being extended to parks, viewing centres, places of worship and against ordinary citizens going about their private businesses is worri some.

Jime argued that the check-points being erected at various points on the high ways do not have metal devices that can detect explosives; rather, security agents manually vet and search vehicles passing through the checkpoint. He expressed oncern that this archaic and cumbersome methods lead to serious traffic congestion on the major highways into the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

He observed that the manual method of conducting checks constitute a serious security threat on its own as it leads to a massive build-up of vehicles at checkpoints thereby leaving several lives at the mercy of a suicide bomber who could easily drive a vehicle laden with explosives devices into the thick of congestion for his ungodly act.

He equally wondered why security agencies have not deployed sophisticated explosives detectors on the roads, as is the practices in other parts of the world, rather than the continued resort to the archaic, risky and unreliable manual methods of trying to detect explosives devices.

He said the use of detectors, including recitation detecting portals through which commuters pass, will reduce the congestion caused by these checkpoints and offer a more reliable form of detecting explosives and other weapons.

He urged the House to mandate the committees that have oversight functions on security agencies to meet with security chiefs with the aim of forging a better appreciation of what is needed to effect these changes at the points. The motion was unanimously adopted.

SAINT MUGAGA, ABUJA