From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi
Benue State Government is to train over 10,000 youths in the act of crime prevention using fire extinguishers.
Special Adviser to Governor Hyacinth Alia on Security and Internal Affairs Col. Joseph Har rtd fumed that fire extinguisher posed a big threat to criminality as it is used as Improvised Explosive Device, IED, to hide ammunition, small and light weapons as well as used as instrument to ferry drugs by youths.
He said the pilot program which is will be flagged off on Friday by Governor Hyacinth Alia, will also, have the Minister of Interior Tunji Ojo in attendance.
Col. Har also, explained that the youths will be trained on how to identify the genuine fire extinguisher using their andriod phones to scan, adding that there will a stickers for easy identification.
Hear him, “in collaboration with the DG Bureau for Entreprenuership and Wealth Creation Mrs. Benita Shuluwa, we had a meeting with representative of a consultancy company who are into fire Extinguisher stickers solution to train adhoc staff to enforce the use of extinguisher positively so as to ensure that geniune fire extinguishers are used.
“Like some people will go and fill Cassave flour into fire extinguisher. So instead of extinguishing fire, the cassava flour adds fuel to the fire. So, this sticker and with Android phones you can scan the extinguishers to ensure that it is geniune. If an extinguisher that is registered is found in crime scene, it will be traced to the owner.
“For instance, extinguishers are used to traffic drugs, ammunition, small and light weapons. They use it too as Improvised Explosives Devices, IED. This is what we plan to do in partnership with Ministry of Interior, Federal and State fire Services. Benue is going to stage this pilot project in the country. The event is slated for Friday and Governor Alia will do the flag off. “
