Tips on Security

The following security advice got to me from a friend via email. It's worth sharing. Please, read on:



AWARENESS CAMPAIGN ON PERSONAL AND FAMILY SECURITY



Dear Colleagues,



Kidnapping has recently become common place and a threat to safety of people and property in recent times.

Below are some of the tactics that have been used :

(i) Persons pointing to a moving vehicle that one of the tyres is flat.

(ii) Using of bangers and knockouts to create fear.

(iii) Drugging of drivers.

(iv) Attacking unsuspecting drivers who park and hold conversations in transit.

(v) Planting oranges or other items stuffed with nails on highways.

(vi) Introducing themselves as Law Enforcement agents or members of tasks forces.

(vii) Deliberately hitting the bumper of their victims’ vehicles, thereby forcing them to a halt.

(viii) Forceful entry into residence or cars to kidnap their target.

It is therefore expedient to remind us of the attendant risks and how these could be mitigated. Find below some security measures that can be put in place. Note this list is not exhaustive.





Residential Security



· Maintain good standing with neighbours and co-workers. A simple life style will most likely attract less attention to criminals.

· Ensure effective security measures are put in place around your home and environment.

· Be alert and report suspicious and unusual behavior/happenings immediately.

· Always secure gates, doors and windows to your residence. At night, keep doors locked and curtains drawn.

· Ensure security lights are functioning.

· Do not give vital/personal information to persons unfamiliar to you.

· Keep torch and radio / phone next to your bed permanently.

· Ensure that your domestic staff are vetted before employment.

· Do not leave vital documents lying carelessly around e.g Giving people ride in your car with vital documents carrying sensitive information lying carelesslyin the car.



Social Outings



· Choose the safest itinerary. Be aware of the surroundings wherever you are.

· If meeting someone new (official or private), arrange to meet at your own preferred place and ensure that there are a handful of people around.

· Provide details on who you are meeting, the meeting venue, contact details and when you are likely to return to close associates and family members. Always inform family members and people around you of your whereabouts at intervals.

· Move or leave the location if you feel uncomfortable or if something does not seem right. Follow your instincts.

· Use branded corporate items such as ties, scarf, T-shirts, branded vehicles e.t.c with discretion outside the office environment and particularly in crime prone locations.

· Vary your route to work or leisure locations.

· Avoid late outings unless it is absolutely necessary.

· Avoid crowded places.

· Always have your mobile phone and have enough call credit on the phone, in case you need to make emergency calls.



Financial Transactions



· Do not discuss financial matters in the open. Not even in the car within the hearing of your domestic staff.

· Avoid huge cash transactions. Use ATMs or online transfers, where necessary.

· When coming out of a bank, watch out for suspicious movements.

· Do not carry black polythene bags or big brown envelopes. It may attract criminals.

· Information about business, financial transactions and travels should be handled with the highest level of confidentiality

· Remember your ‘Net Value’ is not for public domain; avoid ego boosting talks with it in dialogue with strangers.



Travel Security



· Always pre-plan your journey and ensure the vehicle is in good working condition. If you must travel by public transport, use registered and well known transportation companies.

· While walking or driving through hot-spots, be extra-vigilant.

· Always look out for cars that may be trailing you. Go round a Round-About or neighborhood twice to confirm any suspicion of being trailed. If affirmative, note the occupants and brand of vehicle and calmly drive to a police station or populated location for refuge.

· Discuss travel details only with family members.

· Driving in the centre lane of a multiple lane highway makes it difficult for the car to be forced off the road.

· Do not give rides to strangers, including persons dressed in uniform, as they may be armed robbers in disguise.

· Stick to main roads and avoid lonely routes.

· On approaching a checkpoint, stop and obey all instructions.

· If at night, turn on your interior lights some distance away from the checkpoint.

· If chauffer driven, brief driver on your expectations of his behavior on the road.

· Leave sufficient space for maneuvering between your car and the vehicle in front of you.

· At any minor incident on the road, before going out, please check surroundings and attitude of other drivers. If any suspicion, just leave.

Child Security



· Ensure that adequate security measures are put in place for your children in collaboration with their schools during drop-off and pick-up time.

· Educate your drivers to be more wary of security agents on routine checks and ensure they are not being tailed going or coming back from school.

· Avoid routine and rush hours in picking and dropping your children at school.

· Don’t leave your children in a car unattended to, particularly while shopping, refueling, when going out to the cinema, shopping mall, churches, mosques, and friends’ birthday party etc.
Ensure domestic staff e.g. House help, Drivers and Cooks are properly vetted and appropriately referenced with reputable guarantors before they are employed.
Engage a good teacher within the school to keep an eye on your wards. Always have the phone number of your wards class teacher.
Warn your children never to follow their friends home, in the event you don’t turn up on time to pick them.
Information about your financial plans and travels should not be shared with children and domestic staff.

· Educate your kids/wards and utility services staff never to talk to strangers or open doors for people they don’t know. Discourage children from talking to, or receiving gifts from strangers. It could be bait for kidnap.



In the event of an Incident Occurring

· Stay calm, obey the kidnappers’ instructions, do not volunteer any information you are not asked.

· Do not make any sudden body movement, such as unfastening seatbelt etc. without permission or over-react to their questions or harassment.

· Do not play the Hero.

· Do not make eye contact with the criminals as they may think you want to identify them later. Attempting to look straight into their eyes or faces might be interpreted to mean efforts toward recognizing them. This however does not prevent you from carefully noting their clothing, weapons, features, voice, mannerisms and other characteristics.

· Be calm. Remember, most criminals are under the influence of drugs and alcohol and will pull the trigger at the slightest provocation.

· Do not say things that might provoke them. Attempting to rationalize religiously might be very dangerous.

· If safety permits, observe the direction of the criminals’ escape, description and license number of the escape automobile if one is used.

· Always remember: Your safety is paramount, loss of personal possessions is temporary but your life is irreplaceable.



In conclusion, please be reminded, that no one can be a better security officer to you than yourself.



YOUR SECURITY IS YOUR PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY!!



PLEASE PASS THE INFORMATION TO FRIENDS & FAMILY.







RUFUS OLA ARUBUOLAWE

TRAINING

THE CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF BANKERS OF NIGERIA

+2348023251283,+2348096883093 &2347059974779

rufusarubuolawe@cibng.org or rudearub@yahoo.com

Thanks Brother,I will forward it to others.These instructions are vital in these days.

This is very right.