Some safety measures to avoid getting kidnapped in Nigeria
Kidnapping has grown into a multi-billion naira business in Nigeria, at times, it costs much more than money. Human lives are lost, families and loved ones are forced into constant grieving, and people’s lives are subjected to perpetual agony for the rest of their days.
However, hope is not lost. These are effective security tips to escape the kidnapper’s cage.
The increase in the rate of kidnapping in Nigeria is something that should be a cause for concern to every one of us. The issue of kidnapping is now an everyday multi-billion naira business, it could happen to anyone. Here are security tips for your everyday living.
Today, we are sharing probably the most important security tips you must know, especially with the negative effect kidnapping have done on the safety, and peace of our country Nigeria.
1. Keep Your Financial Transactions Confidential
Kidnappers are known to take people forcefully in order to demand for a ransom. They give conditions for the release of their captures, sending panic to the family and friends of the victims.
Research shows that 7 out of 10 kidnappers always request that money be paid for the release of kidnap victims. These demands are mostly made because they believe the victims have the money at their disposal; so they basically target people who either have access to a large sum of money or are rich.
The most logical way to avoid this unnecessary attention is not to reveal your financial history to anyone! Vital information like your bank statement of account should not be handled carelessly.
If you must have printed copies of your financial transactions, make sure you have a secured safe to keep them. Also discussing money matters on the phone is not the safest thing to do, especially when you are in a public place. Be guided!
2. Avoid Driving High-Value Cars At Night
High-value cars are very easy to identify, so if you have one, make sure you aren’t driving late in the night. Kidnappers are selective in their choice of victims. They target people they assume can afford the ransom they are asking for.
Once they are able to ascertain that an individual is rich enough to own the high-value cars they quickly swing into action to kidnap. You will hardly find adoption cases happening in broad daylight. We are most venerable to this kind of attack at night.
Are we saying you should not buy high-value cars? No! We are simply saying you shouldn’t drive that high-value car of yours are night, it’s a lot safer for you. Exotic cars can attract undue attention.
3. Avoid Money Related Disputes
The love of money they say is the root of all evil. Sure, some of you agree that money can be a cause for concern.
Kidnap cases can be politically motivated. We can not ignore the fact that disputes are part of our day-to-day interaction. Disputes should be amicably resolved. Don’t allow a dispute to degenerate to a level of ‘live and death’. Employ the service of a lawyer where necessary.
Some people can go to any length to ensure that their selfish desires are fulfilled. When buying land, make sure you possess it legally and avoid cutting corners. It’s a lot of savers to avoid any form of scandal.
Kidnapping is a way these criminals/individuals use in getting what they want forcefully. Don’t give them that option!
4. Avoid Flaunting a Luxury Lifestyle
Social media has its good, bad, and ugly. It is an interactive platform where you can share personal pictures for your friends and follower to like or comment on.
While sharing pictures from your daily activities make sure you are not flaunting that luxury lifestyle. When it comes to cases of kidnapping, informants are usually people who have access to your personal information. It is difficult to filter the friends you have on social media because there is really no way you can know what is playing in the minds of your social media followers.
If you can’t but flaunt your luxury, do well to get yourself professional security guards as escorts. The problem with getting ordinary guards is that, they could be compromised; professional security guards are trained to be confidential.
5. Carefully select domestic staff, artisans, and individuals who have access to your itinerary
Having mentioned social media, other possible informants for a potential case of kidnapping are the people we let into our homes and offices.
You should be selective with the kind of people you employ as domestic staff. Conduct a background check on people who want to work with you. You also need to see to the fact that you vet their credentials.
If you have not been asking for a guarantor from your staff, it’s time you start doing that and verify every detail, even the addresses! You don’t want to employ someone who has a criminal record.
There are some government-registered bodies that can help you provide domestic staff with a good track record.
6. Watch Out For Trails
Two car parts are very important when we are discussing trails; the rear mirror and the side mirror. These two vehicle parts help the driver of a car, identify suspected trails.
Do well to check these two mirrors at regular intervals while driving, so as to spot possible cars that could have been driven by suspected kidnappers. If you suspect you are being trailed, look for the closest police station you can locate and report.
Let’s assume you don’t know the closest police station close to you, make use of the Google App on your phone. Yes! Technology has advanced to a point where your map can lead you to the safest point (police station); the police mobile hotline could be reached as well.
Trails are also not limited to cars. People can also be followed. While walking, do well to check behind you for any strange person who could have been following you.