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Tag: Owo

  • The horror at Owo: Where was Amotekun? – By Hope Eghagha

    The horror at Owo: Where was Amotekun? – By Hope Eghagha

    Sunday the 5th of June 2022 started like any other Sunday in the year. It was a day set apart for God-worship universally. And for the faithful men and women who trooped into St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church Owo that Sunday, they expected to meet God in spirit, seek His grace, praise His name, and atone for their sins. Alas, it was not to be! Tragically, the day ended with blood on the altar, tears in the eyes, and sorrow in the hearts. For the people of Southern Nigeria, especially the Yoruba people, palpable shock shook both fragile and stout hearts. Terrorism, long promised by blood-thirsty jihadists, was now on their doorsteps. Terrorism with impunity! Laying claims to land that was never and would never be theirs. How did we get into this mess of convoluted reasoning backed by some men in high places? This with our eyes wide open! How could any sane person or group still think that they can seize land by violence and displace its original owners in the 21st Century?

    If there were any smiles that day, it would be only on the ugly faces of the monsters, in the hearts of the sick men, wicked sons of the devil, Lucifer himself, who unleashed violence in the sacred confines of the House of God. In his response, the Sultan of Sokoto, Visible head of Muslims in Nigeria saw the massacre as ‘a direct attack on all law-abiding citizens, asking them to be in the vanguard of efforts to halt the evil assailing life, property and integrity of humanity, particularly believers in God’. After some ten odd minutes, some twenty-two odd persons were sent to their untimely graves while worshipping in the cathedral. Many were injured. Many more were traumatized. Trauma that they will live with for the rest of their days! The assailants, like ghosts, vanished into thin air. These scoundrels are not ghosts. They are degenerate specie of human beings. And I ask: where was Amotekun when the bullets rained in the house of God?

    The attack on worshippers was one too brazen, too many. In the last seven years, there have been reports that some Fulani men had taken to the forests in the southern parts of the country. As we write, some are in the bushes in Edo State, especially in northern parts of the state. Often they pose as herders, grazing their cattle. It seems that at night they transmute into ruthless kidnappers. Prelate of Methodist Church in Nigeria suffered torture in the hands of kidnappers some three weeks ago. He was very specific about the nationalities of his abductors- Fulani men! He said that the leader was born and bred in Umuahia though he is originally from Niger. This should have given the security forces enough clues to arrest him. Sadly, we have not been so lucky. The Prelate even indicted the soldiers who are stationed at the spot where he was kidnapped as accomplices.

    These so-called herdsmen become kidnappers who show no mercy to hapless abductees. Hundreds of people have paid different sums as ransom to those sons of the devil. Once one is kidnapped, he is one his own. The State does nothing, apart from giving the usual assurances. These scums have now degenerated further into mass murder. The intent is to instill fear.

    When they struck in Ondo and killed the daughter of Chief Fasoranti Mrs. Funke Olakunrin in 2019, there was tension in the air. Shortly after some men were arrested and paraded as killers of the innocent lady. In 2020, the southwest Governors came together and formed a regional security outfit Western Nigeria Security Network, codenamed Amotekun. It was said at the time that Amotekun would ‘assist the police, other security agencies and traditional rulers in combating terrorism, banditry, armed robbery, kidnapping and also help in settling herdsmen and farmers contentions in the region. Brilliant idea! So, what happened?

    This brilliant idea was killed by threats from the federal government. First to react was the Nigeria Police which warned ‘that they will arrest any operative of the outfit that carries illegal arms’. On the 14th of January, the federal government declared ‘Operation Amotekun’ as an illegal operation, stating that it is not backed by the Nigerian Constitution!

    In a sense therefore, Amotekun’s inability to rise to the occasion of regional security is the type of federation which the 1999 Constitution has foisted on us. A federation where a region or constituent part cannot devise legitimate means to protect its citizens is no federation at all. It must be unbundled. This is where the State Governors have played politics with the lives of the people who elected them. By acquiescing to the federal government, by not pushing hard on creating a strong, vibrant security framework, the states have been left to the mercy of the federal authorities. Anybody who sticks rigidly to the current security framework is locked in time. The system has failed.

    Sadly, the same week that the massacre took place in Owo, the federal capital Abuja played host to a Special Convention of the APC. All attention was focused on the flagrant and gaudy display of filthy money in the name of primaries. Soon, the Owo massacre will be an anecdote, forgotten, no lessons learnt. We will move on. But the nation will be stuck in memory. The wounded will move on. But their psyche will be dented. Faith in Nigeria is further bruised; reduced to shreds, almost gone.

    The federal government needs to step its game. Security in the nooks of the country cannot be controlled or monitored from Abuja. We need community policing. The number of federal policemen should be increased. Local vigilantes should be allowed to bear arms once they are licensed.  Once the president buys into creating different levels of policing and nudges the National Assembly, we can tinker with the Constitution before this administration goes into oblivion. Too many lives have been lost to insecurity. When leaders call on the people to be vigilant, I ask myself: to what end? The communities that have reported that dangerous men are embedded in their forests have not received any help from security agencies. Whatever happens, as a nation we must forget the lessons of the Owo Massacre. Their blood will cry, and has cried to heaven. And those who ought to protect them failed, God will demand an answer! And the nation will continue to bleed. Is this the type of nation that we need?

    POSTSCRIPT: After I finished the essay it was reported that the federal government has identified ISWAP as the group that carried out the attack. Further steps should be taken to arrest and prosecute the scoundrels to deter others from copying the trade of killing worshippers all because they want to trigger off a religious war!

     

    Professor Hope O. Eghagha (BA, Jos; MA; PhD, Lagos) MNAL

    Department of English

    Faculty of Arts

    University of Lagos

    Akoka Lagos

    NIGERIA

  • Owo terror attack was a message to South-West – Soyinka

    Nobel Laureate and renowned playwright, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has described the attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, where many worshippers were killed, as a message to the entire people of South-West.

    Soyinka made his view known on Friday while paying a condolence visit to Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu  over the terror attack last Sunday.

    He described the attack as a message and said it was targeted at the governor who has been showing leadership in terms of internal liberation of his people.

    “He (governor) was targeted and there is no question about that.

    “It was not an accident and it passed a massage to the rest of us. That is why I’m here. I want the governor to know that we have received the message.

    “We understand it and we came to sympathise with him that he was selected as a medium of that message,“  Soyinka said.

    Akeredolu thanked the Nobel laureate for the visit, saying that the state would remain hugely indebted to him.

    “It is a cause that he has dedicated his life to and I thank God for his life. The state wants to appreciate you for finding the time to come at this hour of grieve.

    “This is like a dagger drawn at our heart and it is an assault on the psyche of those of us in the South-West.

    “I believe they think they can create some fears in us but they made a mistake as the attack will make us more fierce in our condemnation of their actions,” Akeredolu noted.

  • U.S. writes Gov Akeredolu over Owo terror attack

    The United States of America (USA) has condoled the Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu over the last Sunday terror attack at St. Francis Catholic Church, Owaluwa street, Owo.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports 40 persons out of the 127 involved in the attack were killed, leaving 61 survivors currently on admission in different hospitals and 26 already discharged.

    In a letter to Governor Akeredolu, dated 7th June, 2022 and signed by the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard, the USA extended its heartfelt condolences to the people of Ondo State, and the Owo community.

    The USA condemned the attack in strongest terms, while expressing its concern over the growing pattern of violence that afflicts communities across Nigeria.

    The letter reads: “On behalf of the United States and the staff of the U.S. Mission in Nigeria, I would like to extend my deepest condolences to you, Ondo State, and the Owo community for the horrific event and lives lost at the St. Francis Catholic Church on Sunday, June 5.

    “This tragedy saddens us deeply and our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families during this difficult time.

    “The United States condemns this attack in the strongest terms, and we are concerned with the growing pattern of violence that afflicts communities across Nigeria.

    “We remain steadfast in our efforts to support Nigeria in enhancing civilian security throughout the country.

    “Once again, please accept our deepest condolences.”

  • Ondo Govt to provide land for mass burial of Owo terror attack victims

    …as Catholic Church plans memorial park

    …Gov Akeredolu gives update on death toll, casualty figures

    Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu on Wednesday assured that the state government will provide land in a good environment for the mass burial of the victims of the Owo terror attack.

    Governor Akeredolu gave the assurance while playing host to a team of Catholic Bishops from the South-West led by Most Reverend Leke Abegunrin. The team was on a condolence visit to the Governor at his Ijebu-Owo residence in Owo.

    This is even as the Catholic Bishop of Ondo,
    Most Reverend Jude Arogundade, said the Church will be organising a befitting burial for the lost souls.

    Governor Akeredolu noted that 127 persons were involved in the attack while 61 survivors are still on admission in different hospitals. He also disclosed that 26 persons have been discharged.

    The Governor added that the new figure followed the harmonization of the reports from the various hospitals including the private ones.

    He urged the people to discountenance the figures earlier rolled out.

    Governor Akeredolu explained that the state government has set up an account for donations following series of the calls and demand for an account number by well meaning individuals who are desirous of helping the families of the victims and the survivors.

    Arakunrin Akeredolu assured that all the donations made would be judiciously utilized for the purpose it is meant for.

    Governor Akeredolu said, “What we witnessed in Owo on that Sunday, I have been looking for a word to describe it but I’m not too sure I can find one because it is indescribable. There is no word to describe it. If you say horrific, dastardly, horrendous, all those ones are common words and we use them for many things.

    “But I have been looking for a better word to use because we have witnessed barbaric elements, animals in human’s skin. If you are humans you would not do what they have done. May be there are areas where they will do such a thing and they are not worried. But here were are worried because it is not something we are used to. Human life means a lot to us.

    “That is why one is moved. We will have a Memorial Park here where those who died in the attack will be buried. My Bishop sir, we will find a good place as a Memorial Park. It will also be my suggestion that even if there are people who have retrieved their family or members of their family, we must still have a symbolic grave there for them. And it will be there forever, it is not something we can forget and we should never forget it.

    On the update on the figures, the Governor said “the medical team led by the Commissioner for Health has sent figure to us, and it is slightly different. What I put out during my address on the broadcast to the State was wrong and we must accept it.

    “The figure I have now shows that 127 persons were involved, and that the number of death now is 40. On admission receiving treatment we have 61. 26 have been discharged. Those are the figures we have now from the commissioner for Health. So, government is not hiding anything.

    Earlier, Bishop Abegunrin, expressed his sadness over the unexpected attack, describing it as an attack on God.

    “We were saddened when watching on our small phones and later in the evening the whole episode as it was on the public television, it was really sad. The Bishop of Yoruba land in Lagos and Ibadan province are here to commiserate with you, Owo people, the people of Ondo State and with our brothers and sisters in the Catholic Church and Ondo Diocese.

    “It is very painful, it can provoke people to retaliate and do what is ungodly but we are people of faith; we leave everything to God to judge but humanly speaking, we heard what you have been doing in the state that those people who did this havoc to us will be brought to book before long and we are happy about that.

    “For sometime now since Amotekun started we know what you have been doing in Ondo State, that you are protecting the people in cities and villages. Even with threat and warnings, you shun every threat to provide security for the people and their property.

    “They attack human beings, but our own interpretation is that they attack God and the consequences are awaiting them. Whatever you have to do to bring them to book l, I pray God to assist and protect you. We thank you for your action, you are not just a Governor but filled with action. You are articulate, you are not afraid. You made your place known loudly and openly that you are not for nonsense and that you are for your people and Nigeria”, the Bishop said.

    Also, the Catholic Bishop of Ondo,
    Most Reverend Jude Arogundade, said the visit was to comfort one another and also inform the Governor about the plan to organize a befitting burial for the lost souls.

    “We are gathered here to comfort one another, it has been very difficult and painful not just because the incident happened in Owo but in Ondo Diocese. We are preparing for the funeral of the people who died at the incident

    “You have always taken the Catholic Church so highly in everything, that is the kind of person you are because you love God and respect him and you are a man of your word, you are the kind of leader we look up to in Yoruba land and Nigeria”, he said.

    Members of the state executive council led by the Secretary to the State Government, Princess Oladunni Odu joined the Governor to receive the visitors.

    Richard Olatunde
    Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State.
    June 8, 2022.

  • OWO MASSACRE: Church plans mass burial for anonymous corpses, 38 confirmed dead

    Authorities of the Diocese of Ondo have confirmed that 38 persons died in the Sunday terrorists’ attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State.

     

    The Diocesan Bishop, Jude Arogundade, confirmed this on Tuesday.

     

    Gunmen had on Sunday attacked the church located on Owa-Luwa Street in Owo, the hometown of the State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, leaving many parishioners dead and several others injured.

     

    According to Arogundade, the diocese had been able to account for 38 victims.

     

    He, however, said some families picked up corpses of their loved ones and those could not be accounted for by the diocese.

     

    A source said: “People have been asking me about the figure of those who died. The figure that we can account for presently is 38. But we know that many people were taken to private hospitals. Even some people came to take the bodies of their loved ones. We are trying to trace those people so that we can have a recount for all.

     

    “But in the catholic hospital, which is St. Louis Hospital in Owo, and the Federal Medical Centre in Owo, we have 38 bodies.”

     

    Meanwhile, TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) gathered that the diocese may consider mass burial for the victims of the massacre as some bodies had not been identified and claimed by their relatives since the incident happened.

     

    The source, however, said a final decision has not been reached on the date and other burial arrangements.

     

    He said, “There are plans to give mass burial to those who lost their lives in the Sunday attack. The decision was taken due to the nature of their deaths. So we have to bury them instead for them to just be in the morgue for a long time.

     

    “Those that will be given mass burial are those whose bodies could not be identified by anyone. Definitely, when the necessary arrangements have been concluded, the church will notify the public on when the mass burial will be done.”

     

    Meanwhile, Akeredolu said no fewer than 22 people were killed in the attack.

     

    He said the attack affected 80 people out of which 22 lost their lives, while 56 survivors are on admission at the Federal Medical Centre, Owo, St Louis Hospital, Owo and the Owo General Hospital as well as some other private hospitals.

     

    Akeredolu stated this on Tuesday during a statewide broadcast to the people of the state.

     

    He said, “The total number of people involved was 80. As at now, 56 are on admission, two discharged, while the death toll is 22. Efforts have been deepened to prevent further casualties.

     

    “The site, that is, St. Francis Catholic Church, Owaluwa, Owo presents a gory war-like scene. The Federal Medical Centre, Owo, the St. Louis Hospital, Owo, the General Hospital, Owo as well as some private hospitals in Owo were filled with the injured, most of who were in critical conditions.

     

    “The most unfortunate part is the lives of innocent children cut down in their prime and some severely injured by the mindless attackers. At Owo, the anger was palpable. The tension was at an abrasive level just as the urge for reprisals was high. Without doubt too, the ripple impact of this heinous act as well as the understandably angry reaction across the state could not have been different.

     

    “I urge our people to be calm but remain vigilant. Do not take the law into your own hands. Leave the rest for government to shoulder.”

     

     

     

  • OWO CHURCH ATTACK: Sunday Igboho finally speaks

    Yoruba Nation activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, aka Sunday Igboho, has finally broken silence on the terror attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, that left scores of people dead.

     

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that a host of Nigerians had condemned the Owo Church attack.

     

    It would be recalled that gunmen were said to have thrown an improvised explosive device before they started shooting sporadically.

    Sunday Adeyemo, aka Sunday Igboho

     

    Reacting to the unfortunate incident, Igboho in viral audio released and obtained by The Nation said: “I pray to God that we don’t experience such again. I pray to God to comfort the families of the victims.

     

    “My fathers and mothers, can you see that I have been vindicated? I was not in a battle with any Governor or Senator. But what I envisaged, you didn’t see it. Now, can you all see?

     

    “Many were saying I wanted to create crisis and ferment trouble, but can you all see it now? Well, the situation can still be redeemed. I want Yoruba people to be united before it is too late.

     

    “I want South-West leaders to support me and other courageous Yoruba sons and daughters so that we can guard against these wicked acts.

     

    If I offend anyone, I ask for pardon, please” he said.

     

    Igboho is a Nigerian Yoruba self-determination activist and philanthropist.

     

    Nicknamed after his hometown, he rose to fame following his role in the Modakeke-Ife communal crisis in 1997, where he played an active part.

     

    Igboho is the chairman of Adeson International Business Concept Ltd. His chieftaincy title, Akoni Oodua of Yorubaland, has become famous in recent years.

     

    He gained social media attention in January 2021 when he gave an ultimatum to Fulani herdsmen in Ibarapa to vacate the land after the killing of Dr. Aborode and enforced the same.

     

    Igboho is currently agitating for the freedom of the South West.

  • Owo church attack: We have capacity to defend ourselves – Ooni warns

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has condemned the gruesome massacre of worshippers at St. Francis Catholic Church, Owa-luwa, Owo, Ondo State on Sunday, warning that Yoruba people have the capacity to defend themselves even though they are peace loving.

    This is contained in a statement by his Director of Media & Public Affairs, Otunba Moses Olafare, on Monday, in Ile-Ife.

    Ooni Ogunwusi who warned against plans by a group, bloodsucking enemies of God who had vowed to destabilise the Southwest region, decried the vulnerability of Nigerians, especially the poor who he said are often victims of violent attacks.

    “Killing many persons and injuring more others are described as a gruesome massacre, dastardly targeted at turning Yorubland to a war zone.

    “Yoruba people have the capacity to defend themselves even though they are peace loving.

    “We should all be reminded that 6th of June made it exactly one year, when an invading gang of killer herdsmen killed at least over 20 people in Igangan, Ibarapa North local government of Oyo State, on Saturday night.

    “They left several houses, the palace of the Asigangan and a popular petroleum station burnt in the attack when people were asleep. This happened exactly a year ago!” Ooni said.

    Oba Ogunwusi, who is the co-chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN), explained that there have been reports that some criminals are currently working to invade and to wreck havoc in Yorubaland like the one that just happened in Owo.

    “When calamities like this befall us without a single trace, the interpretation is that the intelligence unit of our country’s security architecture is probably faulty or completely missing.

    “However, we the descendants of Oduduwa cannot be overrun in our own home as we are prepared and ready to defend ourselves against external invaders.

    “Rather than discouraging us, this will rather strengthen us especially in our resolve to deploy manpower, resources and technology towards the protection of lives and properties.

    “The six governors across the south west region and their brothers nationwide as well as the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government, should live up to their oaths of securing Nigerians and ensuring safety for the citizenry,” the Ooni said.

    He, however commiserated with the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III, the entire Owo kingdom, Gov Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, the people of Owo, the Priest and parishioners of St. Francis Catholic Church, Owa-luwa, Owo, families of all the victims, and the entire people of Ondo State over the tragic and senseless killings.

  • Owo church attack: IGP confirms St Francis was bombed

    The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Usman Baba has confirmed that St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State was bombed in the attack that happened on Sunday in which many worshippers were killed.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi quoted IGP Baba to have made the confirmation in a statement released on Monday in Abuja.

    According to the statement, Baba has ordered the deployment of specialised operatives to unravel the perpetrators of Sunday’s attack.

    He said the specialised operatives would be drawn from the Police Explosive Ordnance Devices-Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear Explosives (EOD-CBRNE) and other tactical units from the Force Headquarters.

    Adejobi said the deployment is to ensure a comprehensive investigation and immediate interception of the perpetrators of the attack.

    He said the IGP had condemned the attack that led to the brutal murder of innocent Nigerians in their place of worship.

    The police spokesman said preliminary investigations had revealed that the gunmen invaded the church with arms and materials suspected to be explosives.

    According to him, police investigators who were part of the first responders deployed to the scene have recovered pellets of expended AK-47 ammunition.

    He said operatives from the EOD-CBRNE unit had confirmed the use of explosives as fragments of the IEDs used were found.

    Adejobi said three unexploded IEDs were recovered after thorough sweeping of the scene of the incident.

    The police spokesman said further investigations has revealed that some of the gunmen disguised as members of the congregation.

    He said others who positioned themselves around the church premises from different directions, fired into the church during the attack.

    According to him, the assailants fled the scene using a Nissan Sunny car, with Reg No. AKR 895 AG, which was snatched from the owner and escaped through Owo/Ute road.

    He said the vehicle has been recovered, adding that the owner of the vehicle is currently assisting the Police in their investigations.

    Adejobi said the IGP had condoled with the Ondo State Government, family members, relatives and friends of the victims who lost their lives in the attack.

    He pledged that the heartless killers of the harmless victims, particularly innocent children, would be made to face the full wrath of the law.

  • Boko Haram is now operating in Southwest region – MURIC

    The Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, has revealed that Boko Haram is now operating in the South West.

    The group frowns at the barbaric attack on St. Francis Catholic Church Owo, that left many worshippers dead while some got injured.

    Muric believes that the barbaric attack on the St. Francis Catholic Church Owo, that left many worshippers dead, was carried out by Boko Haram and warned strongly that more Churches and mosques may come under such attack

    MURIC strongly condemned the terrorist’ attack, calling on the government to act decisively and arrest the attackers.

    The attackers killed dozens of worshippers during Sunday service and MURIC said they should be arrested immediately.

    MURIC’s statement was signed by its director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

    It said, “We strongly condemn this act of unprovoked aggression. It is inhuman, heinous, horrific and horrendous.

    “We call for immediate arrest and prosecution of the attackers.”

    The Muslim rights advocacy group called on the Inspector General of Police, IGP Usban Alkali Baba and the Ondo Police Command launch a manhunt for the attackers of the Catholic church.

    The group further appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to, without further delay, order the Nigerian Army to join in the search for these murderers.

    “This latest attack is indubitable evidence of the existence of Boko Haram in the South West after their penetration into Niger and Kogi States,” the group said.

    “Going by Boko Haram modus operandi, we warn that mosques and more churches may be the next targets because this was how they started in the North. We, therefore, ask for protection for all churches and mosques in the region,” it said.

    MURIC sympathised with families who have lost their loved ones in the attack and also prayed for the wounded who are receiving treatment in hospitals.

    The Muslim group noted that it stands in solidarity with Ondo state governor ,Rotimi Akeredolu in this hour of sorrow and grief

  • CAN describes Owo church killing as wicked, barbaric

    CAN describes Owo church killing as wicked, barbaric

    The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has described the killing of worshippers at St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, on Sunday as barbaric and wicked.

    Rev. Anselm Ologunwa, the Chairman of CAN in the state, in a statement on Sunday in Akure, condemned the attack.

    “The killing of some innocent souls in the name of whichever guise is the highest criminality everybody should rise up and condemn in our society.

    “How can some people just wake up from no where and decide to kill their fellow men unjustly without any recourse to the judgement of God,” he said.

    Ologunwa called on the government to address the security challenges confronting the country.

    According to him, “no where is safe in Nigeria with the recent kidnapping of Prelate of the Methodist Church and two others on the road, the train attack and on the air and now is inside the church of God.”

    The CAN Chairman noted that the day was the feast of the Pentecost Sunday in the history of the Catholic Church, assuring the people that the Holy Spirit of God would definitely fight for those that were killed in the incident.

    Ologunwa called on the state government and security agencies to as a matter of urgency go after the perpetrators of the henious act and bring them to justice.

    The chairman condoled with families of the victims, the Catholic Community and the entire state, and prayed God to give them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

    He assured that CAN would continue to promote religious harmony and equal opportunities for all in the state without discrimination.

    The CAN chairman admonished the people of the state to complement Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu’s efforts on security, charging them to be security conscious at all times.