Official ABU Security Tips for addressing the menace of kidnapping
Kidnapping is a crime where the victim is taken against his/her will either by force or by luring and being transported to a long-distance/place or held in a place of isolation through the use of force.
The purpose could be for collecting ransom, facilitating the commission of a felony, inflicting bodily injury, or terrorizing someone.
Even though kidnapping is as old as human history itself yet it’s widespread in the current dispensation is quite alarming and calls for proactive action by all and sundry to make A.B.U safe for all of us.
It is no longer news that kidnapping is becoming trendy by the day. Hence, the Ahmadu Bello University Security Services have deem ít necessary to bring to the awareness of the entire members of the A.B.U community some vital tips on the menace of kidnapping and to ensure we do not fall victim to this ugly trend.
ALSO READ: Reps ask CoAS, IGP to End kidnapping in ABU, other Universities
Below are some vital tips we must adhere to in order to guard against kidnapping:
#1. Be Vigilant, not only at night but at all times: It may be true that most kidnappings occur in the night, but daytime kidnapping is
becoming rampant. Therefore, we must keep our guards up all through the day.
#2. Avoid Routine: Do well to avoid leaving your home or point of duty at a specific time or during certain hours every day. Try to
change your schedule even if means a little. This should also include routes to school and places of work, and/or places of recreation.
#3. Do not Discuss Finances in the public: Always discuss your financial transactions in private or secluded areas to avoid being heard by a possible kidnapper agent
#4. Be careful about revealing personal data on social media: Be careful about the kind and volume of information you let out on social media. You really don’t need to flaunt that newly acquired car, houses, and other affluence. Except for work purpose or when extremely needed, do well to turn off the GPS function of your smartphones.
Also, remember that Facebook and other social media sites can reveal the very location from where you are posting, so check to see which of those functions you can turn off.
#5. Live a simple Lifestyle: Showy lifestyle could actually not be advisable in the times we are in. Keep a low profile and avoid
unnecessary extravagance.
#6. Walk Safe: When walking the streets or the aisles, be very vigilant. For an instant, be quick to brace up and cross over to the other lane when a vehicle begins to slow down or tail you while walking on the street or aisles then locate the nearest security post. Also, do not take unlit and lonely paths during the dark hours or alone
#7. Avoid Disputes: Avoid disputes over money, landed properties, positions, relationships and even family feuds.
#8. Avoid late-night outings
#9. Avoid areas that have been reportedly notorious for kidnapping
#10. Entering your Residential premises: When you drive to enter your compound, it is advisable that someone else opens the gate for you. But if it must be yourself, do not be too quick to come out of your car to open the gate. Look to the surrounding to ensure you are not being trailed of ambushed, and then be brisk about it.
#11. Screen Your Household staff and Employees: It is very pertinent to do a thorough background check on your household staff and employees. Verify their true name, state, local government: get their pictures and all necessary documents of
them.
Furthermore, ensure that you know their routine lifestyle outside work-what they do with their off days, the kind of friends they associate with, etc. You can get a private investigator to keep a tap on such persons for you.
#12. Instruct Household Staff or Employees not to disclose vital information on you and your household and activities: Make it a routine behavior to instruct and remind your household staff and employees, like drivers, nannies, gardeners, personal aides, etc the need to be discreet with information that are vital and to be careful whom they open up to.
#13. Teach Children (Kids) not to go to or talk to strangers: Regularly remind your children not to talk to strangers, not to go to strangers, and not to take gifts from strangers.
#14. Specific Persons to do your school run: Either you drop and pick your students by yourself, and if you must delegate this duty.
make sure you don’t change too many persons frequently, such that the authorities of the school would be familiar with who comes to drop and pick your child in order to detect a stranger.
#15. Keep to terms of Agreement with your domestic staff: The amount you agree to pay them and when you need to pay them. Also avoid maltreating them. This will trigger grievance and build up to hatred and they could sell you out.
#16. Be Actively aware of Your Surroundings: We all know this one, but it’s easy to forget: When you’re not pay attention, you’re much more vulnerable to an attack-no matter where you are. So stick your headphones in your bag, put your phone away (though make sure it’s easy to grab), and keep your eyes and ears open to what’s around you.
Those who look like they are easy targets tend to be easy targets and draw the attention of a potential attacker. Staying alert to what’s going on around you will not only help you be more prepared to defend yourself, but you may be less likely to need to in the first place.
#17. Voice out Concerns about Security: Speak to the appropriate authority on security concerns in your locality but don not raise false alarm. This could be done in verbal discussion or written.
#18. Know Your Neighbour: Always make effort to know your neighbours, their identity, acquaintances, job type or occupation, etc. This is necessary because if you know them, it becomes easy to detect:
(i) when someone has tendencies of criminality
(ii) when there is a stranger in your neighbourhood
(iii) and as such report to the Security Division when you have suspicions
#19. Know the type of friends your children are keeping and always monitor them
#20. Educate your family: Give your family security awareness education and routinely do so.
#21. Keep Emergency Numbers: Always get these numbers and keep them updated:
i. A.B.U Security information Desk: 07036893769
ii. A.B.U Fire Service: 07032290254
Base Radio Station: 07036893768
In case it happens ( Coping Tips for Hostage)
We are putting in what we have got and as well praying and believing that we are exempted from kidnapping but should it happen, you are advised to adhere to the following tips:
#1. Scream at the point of being taken: Scream as loud as possible at the point of being taken. Scream things like: “Help!”, “Kidnap!”, Gbomo-gbomo, Barawo, Onye -Ori, etc.
#2. Stay calm: It is not the end of the world. Calmness will help you put your thoughts together and then decide who to (nominate) call when given the chance. As much as possible, don’t call celebrities of the richest family member or friend, except they give you are particularly directed to do so.
#3. Don’t fight or be confrontational: Except you have higher fighting skills or tactics, you should not even try it, especially that these bad guys are usually armed. You may try to be tricky if you see an opening or opportunity but never fight.
#4. Cooperation: Cooperate with them but let your mind be working and look out for possible openings or weak points of your marksman with the aim of outsmarting him if/when an opportunity presents itself.
#5. Don’t starve yourself: Eat food that is presented to you and don’t starve yourself. Starving yourself could diminish your immune system and make you vulnerable to sicknesses and diseases that may jeopardize your thinking abilities or even fear of more
dangerous health issues.
#6. Be their friend: Put all your egos under and try to be their friend. Who knows, you may win their empathy or interest.
#7. Be Observant of the route and places you are being taken (Be sensitive to your environment): That is if you are not blindfolded. This will go a long way not just to help you if you get a chance to escape, but also to help the security operatives in tracking them down to avoid further operations.
Coping tips for Relatives
1. Stay calm and stable
2. Make immediate verbal report and follow it up immediately with written of the incidents
3. Be honest with Security operatives
4. When (in case) contact by the kidnappers, request to know if the victim is alive ( hear the voice if possible). This is to avoid negotiating for a dead victim.
5. Do not provoke them: Remember that the life of your loved one is at stake
6. Minimize how you talk to people about the incident, some may be the kidnapper’s agents.
Credit: ABU SECURITY SERVICES
For Advert Placement, Sponsorship, support, Article submission, suggestion, etc, Contact us: info@theabusites.com, +2349015751816 (WhatsApp)
