Boko Haram infiltrates mechanic workshops – NATA

The National Automobile Technicians Association has called on its members to be at alert because members of the Boko Haram insurgents have found their way into mechanic workshops to perpetuate their evil deeds.

The organisation also said many of its members had been arrested over increasing cases of car theft and other heinous crimes.

The President of NATA, Chief Michael Ajayi, spoke with journalists on Thursday evening in Abuja during a one-day security enlightenment summit it jointly organised with the Absolute Security and Consultancy Services Limited.

At the event, the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, said the police had been finding it difficult to combat crime because people were not ready to volunteer information.

Ajayi said, “We organised this seminar because of insecurity in our country and how my members could be security conscious. The training is what we need because when you look very well, some of these insurgents use automobiles, they use technicians. The insurgents make use of automobiles and technicians in the perpetration of crimes.

“NATA members most times have been arrested on allegations of stolen vehicles which were brought to their workshop by criminals for repair.

“Because of that, I believe that the seminar is a right step in the right direction. It has taught us how to maintain surveillance on our own, in our workshops and abode.”

Arase, represented by the Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Emmanuel Ojukwu, called on Nigerians to promptly surrender information that could assist security agencies carry out their functions efficiently.

According to him, Nigerians with useful hints on any crime and criminality in their environments should channel the information to the right persons in the police to ensure immediate actions.

The IGP stated that the police cannot function effectively without receiving adequate support from the people especially at the grassroots.

He said, “In every police station, there is a Divisional Police Officer, there are Divisional Crime Officers. These are senior police officers to whom information should be given and they know what to do.”

“There are also rank and file police officers who are very reasonable; so if you have good information, take it to the officer who will know what to do with the information. If you have something of value, you must protect it.”

[punchng]