As kidnapping becomes a major concern in Nigeria, here are things we must try to avoid in this moment.
Pending the time our government and security forces will take the much needed decisive actions and win the war against our sworn enemies, please avoid the following so you won’t be a prey in the hands of kidnappers and bandits alike:
1-. Property Inspection: This is not the time to go and be inspecting or checking properties alone in an isolated thick forest. Someone did that recently and landed in the hands of kidnappers who are presently demanding 20m for his release.
2-. Display of wealth: For now, keep your expensive properties away. Stop the unnecessary display of wealth in public places.
3-. Fruits sellers at community entrance: Since criminals also relies on informations same as security agents, it is important that community leaders avoid the sudden surge in non native fruits sellers who are strategically positioning themselves at our respective community entrance(s). It is a known fact that “He who mans the gate knows who comes in and goes out”. He or she will know your caliber and movement time, including when you are asleep or awake.
4-. No late night movements: We must avoid needless night movements at this critical period. If you must relax, please do it in the comfort of your home or find somewhere nearby with familiar and trusted faces. Avoid late night vigils and pray to your God at home.
5-. No to marked school buses: School owners should delete school names from school buses and avoid far distances and isolated locations.
6-. Sensitive and financial information on mobile devices: Keep away all financial transactions and other sensitive informations, including passcodes, home address, office address, children’s school names etc.
7-. Strangers: Now is not the time to accommodate strangers within our community. Any new face(s) must be well profiled with support of security personnel within our jurisdiction.
8-. Selling and leasing of properties to strangers: As a matter of fact, we must stop forthwith, the idea of selling or leasing of all kinds of properties to strangers all in the name of money. It is safer to sell, lease or rent out your property to a known and reliable person at reasonable costs than do the same for a stranger at a higher rate.
9-. Avoid domestic staffs if you can: If it is compulsory that you hire a domestic staff, do it with all due diligence. Many homes have been infiltrated and still being targeted through their domestic staffs.
10-. Home security consciousness: Now is not the time to be lackadaisical in our home security arrangements. Ensure doors, gates and other access points are locked before going to bed while same also applies to communities.
11-. Not a time to sleep: We can’t be sleeping when the enemy is awake. Going early to bed will help us to stay awake early enough. Now is the time to keep our eyes wild opened.
12-. Do not conceal intelligence from security agents but share same with wisdom: This is not the time to see something and keep quiet. However, we must ensure that such information is only and properly divulged to reliable security personnel or community leaders to avoid leakage.
I am passionate about Nigeria and I desire security and safety for every good Nigerian citizen with respect for our respective cultural values.
