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Frequently Asked Questions (Personal Security)

The document provides safety tips and recommendations for personal security including kidnapping, being followed, travel safety, reducing exposure to crime, carjacking safety, handling disputes, police checkpoints, and unforeseen travel events. It advises keeping a low profile, varying routines, not displaying wealth, remaining calm if threatened, prioritizing safety, and reporting any suspicious activities.

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102 views4 pages

Frequently Asked Questions (Personal Security)

The document provides safety tips and recommendations for personal security including kidnapping, being followed, travel safety, reducing exposure to crime, carjacking safety, handling disputes, police checkpoints, and unforeseen travel events. It advises keeping a low profile, varying routines, not displaying wealth, remaining calm if threatened, prioritizing safety, and reporting any suspicious activities.

Uploaded by

bafitemba
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (PERSONAL SECURITY)

NOV 2012

Q1) How can I protect myself from Kidnappers?


A1) We recommend that you keep a low profile and avoid ostentatious and flamboyant lifestyle. Vary your routines as much as practicable, including visits to places of leisure, entertainment, worship, shopping etc. as kidnappers observe potential targets movements and schedules before planning and executing an abduction. Avoid the display of souvenirs with company logo.

Q2) What should I do if I notice I am being followed?


A2) Remain calm and drive to the nearest Police Station or public place where help is near; try to note the license plate number and description of the vehicle following you if it is safe to do so. Do not drive to your home, or to anywhere you have to wait for a gate to be opened.

Q3) Its a holiday and I intend to travel home with my family, how do I ensure I do not become a crime victim?
A3) Obtain the emergency contact numbers of the Police stations nearest to your residence or hotel where you will be staying. Use reliable transportation for inter-city road travel, and incorporate a potential stop at a half-way point with secure hotel accommodation, to avoid driving after dark. Plan your trip, put contingencies in place, and avoid night travel as the risk of attack is higher at night. Be aware that fuel shortages exist periodically in many parts of the country; confirm availability of fuel along your route before you set out. If unsure about the quality of the fuel available in small independent fuel stations, especially in smaller villages, it is always better to top up when you still have plenty of good fuel in the tank, so as to get some dilution of contaminants. While in the village, be aware that you and your family will attract attention from local criminals ranging from pick-pockets through armed robbers to kidnappers, depending on location. It is therefore a good idea to beef up security in your country home and establish a relationship with the local Police. Find out if there are other colleagues spending the holidays in the same area, exchange phone numbers with them, share learnings, and check on one another periodically. Avoid large gatherings as they constitute attractive targets for terror attacks, especially in the north.

Q4) How can I reduce my exposure to acquisitive crime?


A4) Most acquisitive crimes are opportunistic; if you avoid making yourself a target you can reduce the chances of becoming a victim. Dress inconspicuously, avoid wearing expensive jewelry and accessories, and be alert to your environment. Trust your instincts - if you feel uncomfortable in any

situation, leave quietly. Avoid unnecessary display of affluence. Be discreet in movements and behavior, and refrain from publicizing accomplishments and plans, such as giving public testimonies in places of worship.

Q5) How can I protect myself from becoming a victim of a carjacking?


A5) There are a few things you can do and they include ensuring your vehicle is in good condition at all times, and always observing your rear view / side mirrors to determine if you are being followed. In the event of a minor motor accident, stop only in a busy and well-lit area to get help. Always keep your car windows and doors locked, especially in crime hotspots, and leave ample maneuvering space between your vehicle and the one in front of you. If you are approached by suspicious persons, drive away quickly and get help if necessary. Consider installing a vehicle tracking device and share the tracking code details with a trusted colleague or family member. Do not give rides to strangers. Special note for travelers on Benin Shagamu Expressway: Criminals and their agents may call your attention to a problem with your car in order to get you to stop and come down. They usually work in groups, and more hoodlums will emerge from hiding and either rob you outright when you stop, or get under your car pretending to fix something and then extort large payments for the work. This practice is by no means confined to Benin Shagamu expressway as it occurs on other roadways but less frequently.

Q6) In the event that I am attacked on the streets or become a victim of a carjacking, what should I do?
A6) Remain calm, do not struggle or argue with the assailant, cooperate by releasing all valuables requested and avoid looking at the assailants face at this may put you at risk. Avoid sudden physical movements and keep your hands visible. Get away from the scene as soon as it is safe to do so, head to a safe area and report the incident to the nearest police station. Note that if your ATM Card is one of the items they get, a simple robbery may turn into an Express Kidnapping. It is therefore not advisable to keep your ATM Card in your pocket or in your wallet along with your cash.

Q7) I regularly conduct cash transactions, how do you advise I protect myself from exposure to criminality?
A7) Try to do all your banking transactions in secure locations e.g. Mobil House or QIT. Cash transactions processed in unprotected areas put you at higher risk. Avoid the use of ATMs in public or isolated places; be alert and wary of lingering strangers. There are many safe and convenient ways of making payments electronically, including transfer to anyone with a phone number. You will be amazed what options are available if you talk with your

banker. Whether you are paying workers at your site, or sending financial help to extended family, it is possible to do so without having to carry cash.

Q8) If I observe suspicious activities, should I ignore them?


A8) As a rule, if you see something, say something if it is safe to do so. But never get in harms way to stop a security breach; instead, call for help from a safe position. If it doesnt feel right, call your Security contact for guidance.

Q9) What is the best way to handle personal business or financial disputes?
A9) Seek win-win resolutions that will not leave the other party embittered. Be aware that the weaker party may have little or nothing to lose and so may resort to extreme means for settlement. The weaker party may be your mechanic, a danfo or okada driver, your domestic staff, or even your tenant. Think of the security of yourself and your dependents when you drive your desperate debtor into a tight corner. He may discard all decorum and resort to an extreme response.

Q10) Should I be concerned about Police check points en route?


A10) Even though Police authorities have ordered the removal of check points, be aware that in addition to Police high-way patrols, check points still exist in some parts of the country. Some unscrupulous elements in uniform still extort money or cause uncomfortable delays for motorists. Ensure that all your vehicle particulars are in order. Recently an MPN employee on a road trip to visit his village in the east was confronted by armed Police claiming to be members of the Tinted Glass Task Force. Despite Police authorities recently clarifying that factory-installed tinted glass is allowed, the employee had to show his tinted glass permit before being allowed to proceed! Recognize the distinction between bribe and extortion. If unscrupulous armed men in uniform demand a payment from you in an isolated road / highway, you may not be able to safely argue your way out of it. You do have the option of noting the number on the uniform, and then reporting to the authorities when it is safe to do so. An isolated highway is not the ideal place to fight corruption in the country, with your safety and that of your dependants at risk. There may also be community check points in places where vehicles are diverted through a secondary community road due to an obstruction, failure or road works on the major road. Always have some small denominations of cash handy to pay a toll in such places, usually in the range of 20 to 50 Naira.

Q11) What unforeseen events should I be concerned about on the highway?


A11) Recently, travelers were made to wait for 12+ hours at the borders between Ondo and Ogun / Edo states due to a governorship election in Ogun. It is thus very important to confirm that no event, ceremony, or festival will block your route on the day of travel. Even funerals of public figures, big

worship events, big weddings, musical concerts, etc., can render road travel impractical in in the affected parts. Also check if there are curfews in place at your destination or en route.

Q12) What shall I do if I receive a threat call


A12. Calmly respond to the caller and confirm they are not calling your number in error by asking: who are you, who do you really intend to call, and/or what do you want from me? The aim is to gather some information about the person for inclusion in your report to Security: exact time of call, gender, intonation and accent, whether he knows your name and location, etc. Report the call to MPN security with these details and the phone number, if displayed, for further advice. Be careful in taking calls from hidden numbers you may ignore such calls, or quickly ask the caller to send text and then hang up immediately unless you recognize the callers voice. Do not reply to sms threat. Forward it to security and seek further guidance.

Q13) I need to drive to a friends house, but dont know my way


A13. Get directions by phone from the person you wish to visit, and make sketches on paper if necessary. Be sure to make the trip in daylight or, if the appointment is at night, you or your driver should first do a dry run in daylight to locate the place. If you need to ask for directions, do so in a busy place, like a Police station, or ask a traffic warden or policeman. Do not park on the roadside at night to get directions by phone. Google Maps are getting better populated with street details for Nigerian cities, so look for it in Google Maps, or at least find a nearby landmark to give you a good reference point, before you set out.

UPSTREAM NIGERIA SECURITY


MPN Security Control Numbers Lagos: 01-2801100 Ext. 21175, 22475 or 08037742887 QIT: Ext. 35100, 35200, 35199, 35555 or 08037401955, 08022922920, 08022922931 PH: Ext. 34000, 34005, 34010 or 08037057038 BRT: Ext. 34626 Abuja: 08034051111, or Ext. 24944; 24925

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