By Tosin Omoniyi, Abuja

The Centre for Crisis Communications, CCC, has called for an immediate ban on street trading across the country.

It said this would drastically reduce the spate of bombings that have ravaged parts of the country in recent weeks.

The non-governmental organization floated by the Forum of Spokespersons of Security and Response Agencies, FOSSRA, also advocated for the prohibition of the sale of fuel by black marketers across the country.

Executive Secretary of CCC, Yusuf Anas, a retired air commodore, who briefed the media at a press conference organized by I-Nigerian Initiative in Abuja said other precautionary measures around sensitive locations should be put in place by the security operatives to nip the issue of rising terrorism in the bud.

“Extra security measures in gas stations, schools, malls, recreation areas, hotels, markets and motor parks across the nation as well as increase inter-agency collaboration should be put in place,” he said.

He noted with sadness, the current upsurge of suicide bombing on soft targets by the hard-hit Boko Haram terrorists, which he explained was a desperate response by the terrorists to address the unrelenting bombardments of Nigerian troops in recent times.

He also said that the fight against terror was a collective one with every Nigerian having a role to play.

“The Centre believes that with these and other measures being put in place, we can together stamp out terrorism and the agents of darkness from further inflicting pains and sorrows on us,” Anas said.

He said measures currently being used by the police in Abuja such as, fortifying security around worship centers and banning of street hawking and begging was a step in the right direction.

He however, urged Nigerians to be security conscious by being conscious of their immediate surroundings, staying up to date with the current happenings in the environment, community, town, state and country.

“Do not turn deaf ears just because you feel it is happening only in some parts of the country. Being informed is about acquiring relevant information about security issues that are likely to affect you, your loved ones and your property,” he admonished.

He added that vigilance by the public and their willingness to share information with the relevant agencies would drastically reduce the scourge of terrorism.

In addition, the CCC boss advised members of the public to be proactive since prevention is the best form of security.

He also used the occasion to say what the center was doing to help Nigerian better understand the security challenge.

He said CCC was envisioned to evolve a more coordinated, harmonized, transparent and timely crisis information management for stakeholders and the public via the media and also adopts a collaborative mechanism with all stakeholders especially the media.

He said the center would similarly be involved in conducting research on the evolution of some crises that have occurred and/or likely to occur with a view to providing strategic proactive measures to curtail them.