Five legal ways to prevent kidnapping
You can’t be too careful nowadays, with the scary crime rate in the past year, no thanks to the effect of COVID-19 on the Nigerian economy. Here’s the good news, however: there are easy ways to stay safe and keep your loved ones from kidnappers and robbers without breaking the law or needing a licensed firearm. I am sure you are eager to know these tips. Aren’t you?
Following are five legal ways to protect yourself in Nigeria.
Build concrete walls
You’ll need government clearance to own a range of bullet-resistant equipment such as vehicles and vests. By “clearance”, we mean all the way from the Abuja Crew! That’s a long shot Isn’t it? Thankfully, you don’t need clearance from Abuja to own a bullet-resistant front door for your home. That’s good news. However, top-grade bullet-resistant doors can be pricey for the average Joe. So, how about using concrete for the outer walls and doors?
Experts say a foot-thick concrete wall will withstand many shots from a handgun, rifle or sub-machine gun; and that’s beside the insulation it will provide for your home, making it cooler, quieter and, of course, safer.
You could extend the use of concrete for your outer doors as well. There are a number of locally-fabricated doors where concrete is poured in the metal door frame to provide some bullet resistance. Although, you should try this option with caution, as the immense weight is safety concern; and make sure the door is mounted by experienced professionals.
Buy pepper spray or a stun gun
You’ll need some personal safety equipment when you are up and about. A pepper spray and stun gun will fit in your bag or pocket. More so, many brands are disguised by manufacturers as keyholders or flashlights, for that element of surprise.
While stun guns are pepper sprays are seldom lethal, they give a window of escape when used on an assailant, with the knowledge that staying safe is, primarily, about staying alive. Even the most skillful martial artists no this, and it’s why their art is called “self-defense”.
Have a pepper spray or stun gun in hand or in your vehicle. Thankfully, they are not illegal in Nigeria, and provide personal safety to a large extent.
Build a safe room
You could have a safe room in your home. You know, that secret room nobody knows, and that has a secret doorway? Yes, that one. If the house is yours or you are allowed to do some modification to it, you could create a safe room unknown to outsiders and unseen by visitors. This way, you and your loved ones could have a hiding spot, should there be a break-in or home invasion.
Don’t forget to reinforce the walls with concrete, for that first level of defense.
Install hidden cameras
Hidden cameras are no longer luxury. Fortunately, you could buy them off the shelf these days, and they are often hidden in wall clocks, false smoke detectors, peep holes and even door locks. Add a few CCTV cameras for the outer perimeter of your home, and you have a head start against armed robbers and burglars.
Maintain privacy online
This is all on you. Sometimes a little prudence will go a long way in keeping you and your loved ones safe. Prevention, it is said, is better than cure, and many unsafe scenarios are often avoided by staying alert and paying attention to privacy, especially on the internet.
For instance, you don’t have to disclose your holiday plans that will preempt kidnappers and burglars to your whereabouts.
Think before posting.
Furthermore, you should keep a low profile on social media. Yes, it’s OK to share that holiday photo once in a while, but, keep any information that may disclose your financial status, offline. While everyone reserves the right to express themselves within reasonable limits, you don’t have to post any information that will make you an easy target for swindlers, kidnappers and armed robbers, considering the fact that social media is also a tool for criminals who engage in such crimes.