By Shakirudeen Bankole
The structural integrity of the security architecture of the leading socio-religious Islamic organization, Nasrul-lahi-l-fatih Society (NASFAT), was subjected to an intense scrutiny over the weekend, as industry experts gathered to assess its strength and susceptibility to breaches.
Serving and retired senior officers and men from across the nation’s leading law enforcement agencies, including the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Army, and the Nigeria Police Force, among others, gathered at the NASFAT Islamic Center at KM 36, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Asese, Ogun State between Thursday and Sunday, April 17-20, 2025, at a programme tagged, a 3-day Leadership Retreat Programme.
They said the drilling exercise has become expedient as the organisation membership continues to expand and in the light of the need to protect them against all internal and external security threats.
According to Alhaji Salihu Shola Garba, the National Security Secretary (NSS) of NASFAT and the host of the event, the security leadership retreat was a convergence of all security personnel of NASFAT from across Nigeria and the African continent.
“Besides full representation from across the six geopolitical zones of the country, where NASFAT formation and branches exist, participants also came all the way from Togo, Ghana, Ivory Coast, among others for this 3-day leadership retreat,” he told Kiin 369.
Garba, a senior retired member of the Nigerian Navy, said the drilling exercise was in response to the necessity for preparedness for emerging new national and regional security threats.
He said the gathering had brought about critical internal and external security evaluation process, exposing the necessity for an immediate and urgent wholistic overhauling of the current system.
Garba explained that the significance of the programme, also tagged “Training and Re-training,” emphasized knowledge, tools, and strategies as the hallmark of professionalism and global best practices.
“Therefore, this Training/Camping is not only got operational efficiency, but crucial as part of our succession plan and strategy.
” Needless to say one day, someone f you will take part in mantle of leadership at your various zones or in the Headquarters,” he stressed.
The programme was put together by a local Organising Committee, headed by Alhaji (Surveyor) Musbaudeen Adesokan.
Alhaji (Colonel) AbdulRasheed Akewusola (Retired), the Chairman, NASFAT Strategic Security Committee, was one of the leading facilitators and Dignitaries at the event.
Akewusola, a retired senior member of the Nigerian Army, in an interview with Kin360, said it is important to invest in modern technology such as CCTV, Body Cams, Tasers, and Tear Gas, among others, for enhanced security.
“No doubt, training is the hallmark of performance, just as investment in tools is key to guaranteeing maximum result.
“Going forward, it has become important for us to reinforce our operations with skill upscaling, technology, and investment in basic and modern equipments,” he said.
At the event, there was a long list of activities earmarked for the 3-day programme. They include:
Physical fitness and exercise; threat discernment and demobilisaton, problem -solving thinking and leadership skills; human relations and communications skills as a non-kinetic security measure; reinforcement of combat and technical operational skills; Crowd Dispersal, Control, and Management; and integration of modern day tools/gadgets into security and policing.
Other areas of focus included, Upscaling of existing know-how on surveillance, intelligence gathering and management; establishing sustained collaboration with relevant organisations; and creation of a sustainable public sensitisation campaign on security and safety of everyone as a collective responsibility.
While the security centric part of the sessions were administered by the security experts, the soft skill part, was left for seasoned Guest Speakers such as Alhaji Abdullah Davies, a Life Coach;; Dr. Mariam Balogun, a Medical Doctor and Mental Health Advocate with the Lagos State Ministry of Health, and Alhaji (Dr) Sulaimon Adekunle Shehu, an Assistant Director of Medical Services with the Lagos State Government.
One after the other, the lecturers spoke around a wide range of topics, bothering on safety and security, mental health and wellbeing, and human relation skills for intelligence gathering and utilisation.
In his presentation, Sulaimon, said the members of the Security Team of NASFAT are some of the most privileged Ummah on earth, as their responsibility of protecting fellow Muslims would predispose them to a reward equivalent to the best abode in Al-Jannah Firdaos on the day of judgement.
According to him, “security of the Ummah or mankind in general is an obligation Allah would reward abundantly. Remember Allah has said no one is permitted to kill a single soul from His creation except in justice, hence protecting then is even more rewarding than engaging in alms giving or Nofilah, an Hadith has said”.
Sulaimon, who doubles as the Chief Imam of the Central.Mosque of Nigerian Railway Community, Ebute Meta Lagos, said perfecting the internal and external measures to ensure maximum safety and security for the members of NASFAT during and after their periodic congregational prayers can not be over emphasized.
“NASFAT is a leading Islamic Organisation in Nigeria. It has tentacles across the country, African continents and the entire world. This is why the issue of securing it’s members is very germane.
“But how much are we paying attention to this obligation, ‘ he asked, rhetorically, stressing that it has become incumbent on the society to do within it’s powers to make the organisation a safe zone for it’s teeming members.
“Allah has enjoined us to be on guard at all times. Yes, He knows we can’t protect ourselves, but He has admonished us to do everything within our powers to promote safety and security.
“And doing this is not all about building a large arsenal of armoury and weapons alone. It is also about leveraging technology, human relations, public awareness, and collaborations with critical stakeholders,” he added
On her part, Mariam, said the Mental Wellbeing of the Security Officers is central to their performance, ability to handle pressure, and ultimately utilise human relations and socialisation to improve their surveillance and collection of intelligence.
According to her, “the security officers are first of all human beings. And a normal human being is driven by his or her state of health. An individual with sound physical, mental health and higher motivation is predisposed to higher level of productivity at work.
“But more importantly, the mental health of everyone is the inner driver of our behaviours and strength that we use to handle pressure of life.
“Good mental health means a combination of sound physical health and a positive and progressive state of mind. When the thinking is clogged with worthlessness, due to factors that can be attributable to genetics, emotions and or the environment, the person then begins to manifest dangerous signs that would become a danger to him or herself and even the people in the environment.
“Depression, anxiety, phobias, mood swing, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder – PTSD – among others, are some of the symptoms of an unhealthy mental health.
“The best place to seek help is the Rehabilitation Centers, which Lagos State Government has provided some, under the guidance of our ministry. Sufferers can also contact Psychiatrists, Neurologists, and even Psychologists for help,.
“I agree that there is the need for more investment in building shelter homes for people with mental health challenge. And Allah enjoined us to show compassion to those going through this challenge, for it is not a transmissible infection,” she added.