Introduction

This document provides protective and preventive security advice to those who own, operate or manage a beer parlours or viewing centres in Nigeria with few hours left before the start of the Brazil 2014 World Cup.

It is essential to provide the necessary assistance for this sector because they are likely to be subjected to terrorist attack during this World Cup period as a soft target and crowded place because the Nigeria Security Services is slow in providing guidance for this sector in a country of football lovers.

In one newspaper report despite the threats to gardens (drinking joints), these resorts are however not provided with protection by neither the police authorities nor the FCT.

A garden operator at Emeka Anayaoku Street, Area 11, Ms. Comfort Nenge told a reporter that she had applied severally for security at her exquisite garden, without positive response from the authorities (source - http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/poor-returns-for-drinking-joints-in-abuja/)

Terrorist attacks in Nigeria are a real and serious danger. Crowded places, including

beer parlours, mammy market, viewing centres and nightclubs, may feature in the attack

plans of terrorist organisations in the future; as they are usually locations with limited

protective security measures and therefore affords the potential for mass fatalities and

casualties.

Exactly 3 years ago, on 12th June 2011 the Boko Haram sect killed four people at a

drinking joint in Bulum Kutu in Borno State. In April 2011, Tudu Palace Hotel was

bombed and 13 people were killed in a bomb explosion at a mammy market of

Shandawanka barracks in Bauchi. In Kano, least 11 people were died in a drinking joint on New Road in Sabon Garin area whilst at a bomb blast ripped through a viewing centre in Mubi, Adawama State.

Business Case for Security Guidance

It is recognised that there is a need to maintain a friendly and welcoming atmosphere within

beer parlour, nightclub and viewing centre environments and this guide is not intended

to create a ‘fortress mentality’. There is however a balance to be achieved where those

responsible for security are informed that there are robust protective security measures

available to mitigate against the threat of terrorism.

There is need to help this sector in tackling terrorist threats but more importantly to have appropriate guideline to boost customer's confidence.

The viewing centres are usually set up in open places or shops that can accommodate between 20 to a 150 people, depending on the availability of space. They are normally temporary structures with several television sets and benches that can sit five to seven people with fans dotted in strategic locations within the place to provide cooling in the course of viewing and the foreign league matches are relayed live via satellite, DSTV or hiTV.

Viewing Centres & Beer Parlours Necessity

The increase in the establishment of viewing centres and beer parlours across Nigeria is largely because of the difficulty of getting uninterrupted power supply.

Majority of the customers are working class people and considering the high cost of living in the city; the viewing centres and beer parlours are good spots to relax and watch a good foreign football match without electricity challenges because the operators have standby generators and important football matches are viewed through satellite channels.

In a country where the minimum wage is NGN 18,000, it is difficult for many working class family with children to subscribe for DSTV Satellite Dish. That said, many people enjoy the atmosphere and excitement associated with the venue.

Risk Assessment for Football Viewing Centres & Beer Parlour

The Somalia's Al-Shabab militants bomb blast in Ugandan capital killed over 70 football fans that gathered to watch the World Cup final and Boko Haram copied the Al-Shabab approach and also killed helpless football fans in Mubi some few weeks ago.

So far, no report has been released by Nigeria Security Services on the outcome of the investigation into the bomb blast at the viewing centre at Mubi, Adamawa (or the bomb blast in Kano) and it is impossible for beer parlours (including viewing centres) owners to improve their security if they don't know exactly; the areas of improvement that the security services would recommend.

Based on Nigeria security analysis, the following risk assessment was concluded:

High Risk Nigeria States:

Adamawa State, Bauchi State, Gombe State, Jigawa State, Kaduna State, Kano State,

Borno State, Plateau State, Yobe State.

Medium Risk Nigeria States:

Benue State, Akwa Ibom State, Katsina State, Nasarawa State, Niger State, Sokoto

State, Zamfara State.

Special Nigeria States of Interest:

Abuja Federal Capital Territory, Lagos State, Bayelsa State and Rivers State.

The high risk areas are places where Boko Haram and other Al-Qaeda inspired groups have a solid underground terrorist cells with ability to carry out successful terrorist attacks with the ability to blend back into surrounding communities without detection.

Medium risk areas could be attacked by terrorist cells if the security services are not

proactive in ensuring that preventive/protective measures are in place and there is no

effective communication with beer parlours/viewing centres

The four States of interest like Abuja and Lagos State are places of interest that Boko

Haram would love to attacks to make a bold statement that they are able to cause havoc...

Britain, Israel and America should warn their citizens in Nigeria not to wear their

country's football T-shirt in North-East and avoid going to viewing centres in Lagos,

Rivers and Abuja to avoid kidnapping. They are better off watching World Cup in safe

venues like 5 Star Hotel lobby (Sheraton, etc).

Unfortunately, Nigeria Police Force has not released any guidance to viewing centres or beer parlours in Nigeria particularly in the North-East on how to manage security during the World Cup period.

Thus, beer parlour owners need to review their security and take certain measures. This is a counter terrorism guidance for Nigeria Viewing Centres & Bars:

1. A Drinking Bar or Viewing Centre should appoint a staff to be their designated security manager responsible for security evaluation and refine security plans, and test/exercise crisis plans for the business.

2. In hotspot terrorism areas, especially in Northern Nigeria the security manager in viewing centres and drinking bars must encourage personnel to maintain a "heightened awareness" for suspicious activity during World Cup and to report same immediately.

This may include allocation of pass to vehicle owners on and around viewing centres or in your premises including installation of mobile CCTV system during this World Cup season.

Terrorist groups would carry out pre-attack survey of the area to understand accessibility and also define their exit strategy. Thus, security managers must have their anti-insurgency attack protocols and ensure preventive measures are tested.

3. Provide special attention to perimeter security and access control issues. Have clearly defined perimeters for your Viewing Centre/ through the use of fences, gates, environmental design, signage, and other professional security measures.

4. Train staff to establish routine inspections of the building and grounds by trained facility personnel. Utilize security technology and devices for monitoring and controlling exterior facilities as defined by professional security assessments.

5. During the World Cup fixtures ensure that you seal off black spot and have visible warning signs about restricted areas with staff train on assertive approach to adopt on questioning suspicious persons within an acceptable customer service standard.

6. Encourage staff to maintain a heightened awareness during recess, physical education classes, drop-off and dismissal, and other outside activities. Examine staffing levels and procedures for security personnel, school resource officers and other police personnel, and associated protection personnel.

7. Maintain a proactive effort of visitor access and control. Review security procedures for after-school and evening activities and building use. Utilise security technology and devices for monitoring and controlling interior facility access as defined by professional security assessments.

8. Train your staff in First Aid and medical evacuation with staff briefing prior to opening of your venue to customers on how to manage any serious emergency.

9. Make sure that you maintain an adequate number and level of emergency kits and medical supplies. Maintain a stock of at least three days worth of medications that might be required at a period of emergency.

10. Identify one or two medical centre within your proximity that you could engage with in a period of emergency which could range of football fan fighting to bomb blast.

11. Develop, review, refine, and test crisis preparedness guidelines. Be sure to have guidelines for both natural disasters and acts of violence. Particular procedures for handling bomb threats, chemical and biological terrorism, armed robbery and related information should be reviewed. Review with staff their specific roles and responsibilities consistent with your crisis guidelines. Identify back-up crisis team leaders in case normally assigned leaders are not unable to lead.

12. In hotspot areas, speak to your DPO and Local NEMA co-ordinator to find out the best way to engage them in a period of emergency and find out if they have designated police official or NEMA personnel in your local area.

Role of Police during Football World Cup Season

1. Identify all the key viewing centres and beer parlours in specific areas of interest and places selected through intelligence profiling to be ‘Place of Interest’.

2. Provide all the identified areas with basic information on level of security measures expected and grounds upon which the police could close down a viewing centre/beer parlour because of public order offences or potential threat of terrorism. The materials should be published in local dialect (language).

3. Approve Plain Cloths Officers surveillance of potential threats areas/jurisdiction and mingling in the crowd in specific locations. Increase physical presence of police officers on the beat.

4. Police should setup a "World Cup Emergency Number" for football fans with security information.

Role of NEMA during Football World Cup Season

1. NEMA should be at standby to render rapid emergency support during an emergency attack

2. NEMA should ensure that their local co-ordinator have synergy with medical centres in their locality with advance discussion bomb blast medical emergency readiness.

Conclusion

This is only a guidance and provided to assist in the delivery of a safe environment.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Temitope Olodo (shown in photo) is a preventive counter terrorism expert based in the United Kingdom. He worked for Her Majesty Government in many sensitive positions including the Office for Security and Counter Terrorism (OSCT) managing De-Radicalisation Projects across the United Kingdom targeted at preventing recruitment of vulnerable individuals by Al-Qaeda inspired groups in mainland Britain.

He is the author of Nigeria Family Emergency Plan and Counter Terrorism Guidance for

Nigerian Religious Leaders. He is now a freelance consultant providing advice to private,

corporate and government agencies on preventive terrorism.

He is a subject matter expert on Boko Haram and Nigeria Security Management.

For TV/Radio appearance and conference contact:

Temitope Olodo Esq.,

Email: yolodo@yahoo.com

Website: www.temitopeolodo.co.uk

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