Kidnapping: Why me and my family

INTRODUCTION

The disparity between the rich and the poor coupled with greed and inordinate ambition by idle youths to amass wealth in the society has led to increasing spate of criminality across the country. Prominent among these crimes is kidnapping which has become very attractive to some unscrupulous elements owing to its low-risk and high ‘financial yield. Given the pecuniary motive driving kidnapping activities, the affluent in the society become easy targets of attack. However, with appropriate application of relevant security tips and guidelines, the vulnerability of Very Important Personalities (VIPs) to attacks can be reduced to its barest minimum.  This handbook is therefore designed to specifically acquaint VIPs of important tips that would enhance their personal security and that of their family members.

WHY YOU AND YOUR HOUSEHOLD MAY BE TARGETS OF KIDNAPPING

The following if not well managed could expose you to dangers of kidnapping: Your appearance and disposition; your level of popularity; occupying sensitive and important positions in the society; raving flippant and unguided aides; engaging inadequately vetted household’ employees; inordinate business transactions involving one’s bank accounts without adequate knowledge about intentions; entrusting confidential and personal matters into others; inappropriate disclosure of one’s itinerary, and living a flamboyant lifestyle and inappropriate display of wealth.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW SELF-AWARENESS

Recognise your self-worth; assess the threat level of your environment, and the perception of others about you in any given location.

SECURITYAIDES

Your security aides are there to secure you and your household. They are also to educate you and your household on security related issues. Ensure you obtain intelligence relating to security situation of places you intend visiting for public functions or personal purposes.

Be humble enough to see things from your security aide’s perspective when you are advised not to visit an area. Your aides are your buffer against danger, take care of them.

BE VIGILANT

Vigilance keeps you at alert when others are not. It entails being conscious of every activity/happening around you and your family.

DRESS MODERATELY

Dress to avoid being noticed. Do not standout by wearing clothes and jewelries that are either too conspicuous or culturally inappropriate at vulnerable locations. This could draw unnecessary attention to you.

BE FAMILIAR WITH YOUR SURROUNDINGS

Identify buildings, structures of importance and other prominent features; such as police stations and military bases. Have adequate information about your places of interest and work locations.

VOICE CONCERNS ABOUT CRIME

Alert local security agencies of any suspicious activities in your environment for preventive measures, but avoid raising false alarm.

Do not wait until you are kidnapped or allow a breach of security to occur before taking action.

Citizens are in a better position to identify inappropriate behaviours and activities that are out of the ordinary in their residence or workplace. Such unusual behaviors should be promptly reported to security agencies.

KEEP YOUR PERSONAL ITINERARY SECRET

Do not show your itinerary to anyone who does not have the need to know.

CHANGE OF ROUTINE

Avoid routine. Identify and use different routes to your home or place of work.

Do not take same route for your daily work-out; eat in the same location; drive or go to work at the same time using the same route on daily basis.

AVOID REVEALING PERSONAL DATA ON SOCIAL MEDIA

You never can tell who is monitoring you on social media.

Be careful not to reveal too much detail about yourself or your family on social media.

Avoid flaunting new cars, houses and other luxurious assets on social media platforms.

Never reveal addresses and places you frequent on social media.

EDUCATE YOUR HOUSEHOLD

Regularly educate and remind your household (children, house-help, drivers and other employees) not to reveal personal and family information to the public and strangers.

Guide your children and wards not to discuss their itinerary or yours with strangers. Educate them on the need to be conscious of their discussion while on phone.

Make sure members or your immediate family are properly educated on the contents of this handbook.

INSTALLATION OFCCTV CAMERAS

Installation of CCTV cameras at residences and workplaces (where possible) is strongly advised. This often serves as an important source of information for both securities, preventive and investigative measures against crime.

Initiate collaborative efforts with neighbours in your area with a view to installing and maintaining CCTV cameras on your street.

MAINTAIN A MODERATE LIFESTYLE

Check your lifestyle if you have been living loud, try to live in moderation by not wearing extremely expensive wears that announce your presence. Looking expensive all the time can make you a target for kidnappers.

Culled from a Handbook from the DSS providing tips against kidnapping for VIPs

To be continued tomorrow