LESSONS TO BE LEARNT FROM SHOOTING AT THE AZERBAIJAN OIL ACADEMY

On the 30th of April, 2009, the entire Azerbaijan was thrown into turmoil as the population heard the news of shootings at the State Oil Academy. The incident had occurred in the early hours of Thursday between the periods of 9 – 10am. Students were already seated for their early morning classes when the horrified incidents took place. Until now there is no definite story as to what happened. The killer is known. The most popular story has it that the killer shoot himself after trigger happily killing dozens of others, both staff and students.

As we sympathize with the families of those who have lost their love ones, it is wise to put some questions in perspective. It could be anybody, but why is there no concrete news as to what actually happened? Why is there still no defined motive for the killings? Who were those involved? And to what extent has investigations revealed other “assumed” accomplice?

The first story that was popularized just immediately after the news broke out was that the killer was from African descent. In as much as it has already been proven to be false, but why did the media not verify a fact before reporting? I have followed this same incident from BBC, Euronews and CNN, but none of these International news agencies reported the Azerbaijan press version. The scenario simple portrays the degree of professionalism of some in the Azerbaijan news reporters, obviously low. A sensitive issue as that should be thoroughly verified as facts before it is put in the public domain. The reporters of the media organization that broke the false news should burry its head in shame. Until now, they haven’t even repudiate or put out an open apology for the false information. Let us hope that they learn a lesson though and next time, they think through to ensure that only facts are put into the public domain.

It is also shameful that a university as popular and as famous as the Oil Academy has no installed surveillance camera in and around the premises. Because based on eye witness account, there were strange persons who left the scene unidentified but these information can’t be followed through in the absence of actual video evidence to back the eye witness claims. The advantage of technology is to simplifier life and life issues, so it should be sufficiently used.

It is hoped the government learns from the incident. High security measures are to be put in place at the university premises. Not just universities, but in all public institutions and organizations.