Nigeria’s Abysmal Police Citizens Ratio makes personal security information sourcing, investment a must. Mr. Christopher Orji, Security Expert and Veteran Crime Journalist, speaks on Real Reasons Nigerians Will Face Insecurity Upsurge This December + What to do. Excerpts;
Last year, during the e-Discourse, your prediction that there would be a surge in crime came to pass. What made this to be so?
Well, there was nothing special about my last year prediction that there would be a surge in crime because even the blind could feel it that the citizens were sitting on a keg of gunpowder ready to explode. The economy was so bad that you didn’t need to be told that there was fire on the mountain. The rate of unemployment was soaring, and inflation was uncontrollable. I told you that there were herdsmen/ farmers clash, people lost their jobs, and no employment. The country was busy turning out millions of graduate from all the deciplines, yet there was no job for them. You could see what happened during the last General Elections, where idle hands were used to cause havocs. What happened last year was a tip of the iceberg to what we will experience in the year 2024 if something drastic is not done . It would be a child’s play with what will happen at the end of the year and next year.
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What should we expect, in terms of safety and security challenges, as this year’s Yuletide approaches?
We have started experiencing serious security challenges in the country. Anywhere you go,it is one crime or the other being committed brazenly without fear. Internet fraud is on the increase, but if not because of cybercrimes, the country would have been overrun by hoodlums. It is because our teaming youths are involved in internet fraud that people are able to walk the street of Nigeria. Otherwise, armed robbery and kindnappings would have overwhelmed us. Well, our safety is not even guaranteed. The recent fuel pump increase has hightened the tension and insecurity in the country. What else can we say when kidnapping has become the order of the day. People are going through hell. Hunger is killing people because farmers have abandoned their farms because of terrorists, herders, and bandits. We are going to experience food insecurity. None of our roads are safe. People can not afford flight ticket, our roads are terribly bad, so kidnappers are having field day abducting their victims and demanding ransom. The greatest challenge is the climate change that is affecting virtually everywhere. The water surge in our rivers and flood have turned people to refugees in their land. Homes, farms, and businesses are being destroyed . The National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA) is overwhelmed. The challenges are too numerous that I foresee danger.
Do we have enough police in Africa?
No, we don’t have enough hands in the police force. For instance ,a country like Nigeria, which boasts of over 200 million population has only N350,000 policemen. Among the policemen are those that will retire soon, those who have been incapacitated by ill health, those that are facing one trial, or being prosecuted for one disciplinary action or have been suspended. Infact, United States standard of policing is a policeman to 400 people, but in Africa, it is a policeman to one million people. Is it possible.
What are the implications of this?
The implication is that crime will continue to soar. Our security agencies will be overwhelmed. Life will continue to be short and brutish. Life seems to be survival of the fittest because an average citizen understands that there is nothing like timely response to distress calls, so he or she is on his or her own. Second, criminals are studying the situation of things, and they understand that there is a shortage of manpower, so they commit crime with impunity.
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As Yuletide approaches, what are the red flags we should look out for?
The red flags remain the already prevailing various criminal indulgences like kidnapping, arm banditry, robbery, and so on. The only difference is that they would be upscaled by the criminal elements as there is desperation to make more money for the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
Really, crime victims increase at this time of the year because of the flurry of activities during which people let down their guards.
When you are out and about, you must watch out for certain red flags, observe some security tips, and trust your instincts.
Those who take public transport must watch out for commercial buses run by criminals who use a mode of operation known as “One Chance”, whereby members of the gang fill up the bus and reserve just one space for their victim who will board and be trapped.
When boarding cabs, share the information – registration number and Google location map with family members.
One must be more observant and aware of surroundings as a proactive method of enhancing personal security. Don’t make it easy for the criminals to make you a victim!
Criminals are constantly surveying the environment for an opportunity to commit crimes.
They look out for those who leave valuables in the backseat of their cars.
Beware of kidnappers when you go to parties. Mind the way you flaunt your wealth.
Don’t go to secluded places alone.
Guide your tongues. Keep your plans to yourself, and don’t tell people if and when you will be travelling for the yuletide celebrations.
Criminals feed on information.
Be alert and aware when you are out. Keep your mind on what is going on around you.
Walk with purpose, scan the area around you, and make casual eye contact with others to display confidence. When you are in the traffic, especially in Lagos, watch out for those who snatch phones. You can put off that call till later.
What are the tips on personal security before, during, and after Yuletide?
Security is everybody’s business because our security agencies have been overwhelmed and overstretched by the high degree of crimes in our various countries. With the rate of insecurity pavading our various countries, we should begin to assist government agencies by providing them with useful information to curb crimes and confront the non-state-actors who are destroying our countries . Don’t keep quiet when you see evil . Always say something when you see something. That was how people saw terrorists groups forming alliance and recruiting members and kept quiet . The silence later boomeranged on the people, and we are all suffering from our inactions. Are you travelling either by air or road?
Here are 14 Things To Do
1. Please hold tight to your handbags.
2. Avoid making business calls in public.
3. Don’t divulge your personal movement or destination to people.
4. When you are boarding a taxi, make sure you go to approved motor parks and make sure you make a phone call to your family members or friends sharing the information about the vehicle (number plate),to the hearing of the driver.
5. If you order for Uber or bolt, make sure the number of the vehicle you booked for corresponds with the one that comes for you. If it doesn’t correspond, cancel the order.
6. If you are travelling long distance, don’t drive alone because criminals are waiting for lone drivers. Be conscious of whether vehicles are coming from the opposite direction. If not, make a detour to a safe place and observe why.
7. Avoid night journey. Avoid over speeding. Avoid overloading .
8. Be on your seat belt. Avoid stopping on lonely roads.Avoid taking or giving free ride to strangers.
9. Very important, don’t stop when you see roadside mechanics flagging your vehicle down, giving you signs that something is faulty with your vehicle.
10. The people flagging you down may be kidnappers or evil mechanic who want to turn you to their ATM, and after ripping you off, they will end up destroying your vehicle. When you see them giving you signs , keep driving until you get to a safe place, and you will discover that nothing is faulty in your vehicle. Service your vehicle before you travel.
11. Check your tires and tight the nuts, holding them to the rim before you set out. Be conscious of the fact that our roads are bad and that kidnappers and killer herdsmen are on the prowl, so don’t move alone always go in convoy.
12. For house owners, especially those who live in secluded areas, always lower the sound of your TV and musical sets.
13. Lock up your windows and firmly lock your doors at all times. Have a functional gate, and don’t make your fence too high. Have a dog or dogs at home.
14. This period, many of you are on holiday and would want phicycal excercise, please when you are doing early morning or late evening jogging, avoid dark corners .
Concentrate on areas that are appropriately lighted or you do your jogging at home, in your compond.
Don’t disclose your whereabouts on social media, and don’t expose your family to social media.
This edition of e-Discourse, a weekly event organised by Platforms Africa, a forum created by award-winning African journalist, Adeola Yusuf, is moderated by Accra, Ghana-based veteran journalist, Francis KOKUTSE
