Covid-19: How to be security conscious
The year, 2020, has come with unexpected hardship in Nigeria. As a result of Covid-19, many businesses have been shut down, many workers have lost their jobs, even artisans are finding it difficult to put meals on their table. Government’s palliatives are on the pages of newspapers or in the air waves. No adequate provision is being made for the welfare of the lower class.
As a result of this uncommon hardship, security agents are predicting a sharp rise in crime (armed robbery, theft, kidnapping, molestations, etc) simply because people are suffering. Below are some of the precautionary measures Nigerians can embark upon. These measures are being circulated in security circle; its source is not very clear, though it has been attributed to a high-ranking police personnel. It is expository.
Security at Home
- Ensure proper lighting.
- Ensure doors and gates are properly locked at night. Never lock a gate using a padlock from outside at night.
- Ensure your security fences are working.
- If you can get CCTV systems in place, please do (The fear of being caught is often one of the greatest deterrents to crime).
- Limit late nights.
- Be aware of your surroundings. Take note of parked cars, individuals loitering, etc.
- If you live in an estate, ensure you have an emergency response plan. what happens if you or your neighbors are under attack? Do you have a way of rapidly alerting the estate security?
- Ensure all your domestic workers are properly vetted.
- Get an insurance plan.
- If your car has an alarm system, always sleep with the remote by your bedside. If you have cause to suspect that someone is trying to forcefully gain entrance into your home, activate the alarm. In a residential environment, this is usually very loud and hopefully will scare the criminals away.
- Be your neighbors keeper and always look out for them. If you have information or observe something that can help, please speak up.
In Transit
- Try as much as possible to get home while it’s during the day, avoid night movement.
- Be observant of vehicles and individuals around you.
- Reduce the use of mobile phones, tablets and laptops in traffic (especially if you do not have tinted glasses).
- Do not keep bags, wallets or any valuable item on the chair. This also applies when parking in a public place.
- Keep your car doors locked at all times. This also applies when parking in a public place.
- While driving home, lookout for cars following you, look out for cars parked too close to your gate, watch out for unfamiliar individuals in your neighborhood.
- Reduce the use of third party individuals to handle the transportation of your loved ones.
- Do not allow your drivers/gate-men know your travel/daily itinerary.
- Do not make unscheduled stops in questionable areas. If you have a flat, manage the car to a properly lit place. Worst case scenario is that the tyre and wheel (which usually costs between N10k and N100k) gets damaged.
File photo of a victim of kidnapping
Personal Lives
- Be very wary of having business discussions around drivers, especially those that concern money, projects, affiliation with known individuals, etc.
- Ensure you carry out comprehensive background checks on existing and new domestic staff hires.
- Reduce road trips. Always travel by air if the option is available.
- Always let your loved ones know where you are and when you should be expected at home.
- Always know the whereabouts of your loved ones and their itinerary. Get frequent updates and act immediately you feel something is out of place.
- Avoid excessive and public show of wealth.
- When giving, as much as possible, do so anonymously.
