Be mindful of your security.
Even as you pray, listen to news regularly.
The country is going through very difficult and unsafe times.
Presently, there are calls from foreign concerns to declare Nigeria a failed state.
This is because of the level of insecurity present in the country.
We all need to be concerned about our safety.
Do not say it can never happen to you.
No one is safe.
Relatives of the President have been kidnapped.
Men of God, security personnel, etc.
No one is safe, nowhere is safe.
Let us try and observe strict security protocols together with our prayers.
ONE
Never stay out of the house late.
Come back home or stay close to your house latest by 7pm.
TWO
Do not travel in marked vehicles — for example, vehicles bearing names or company labels.
THREE
Do not travel in groups.
If you are to go for a program, move alone.
FOUR
If your area is being attacked, switch off all lights including any switch with tiny lights.
Remove all jewelry on your body and wrap your phone in a cloth to prevent light reflection that can betray your position.
If you hear gunshots, leave your bed and lie flat under the bed and away from your window.
Get out of sight.
Lie close to any wall.
FIVE
Do not take a ride in any vehicle you don’t know.
Take public transportation at all times.
SIX
When you go out, dress normal and neat, not flashy.
Never wear clothes that can get you noticed or identified.
SEVEN
If you are going somewhere, tell someone where you are going and the expected time of arrival.
If possible, don’t go alone.
EIGHT
On no account should you visit online friends.
People you meet on social media should never be visited, either in public or in their home or office.
NEVER.
NINE
Speak very little when you are in public and never comment on government or political issues.
TEN
Always maintain call credit on your phone and ensure you have power on it or buy a power bank.
You may need to make contact in case of an attack.
ELEVEN
If under attack, do not make voice calls because sound travels faster and more clearly at night.
Just ring the number repeatedly; if the person picks, don’t speak.
Just send a text.
When doing that, do it under cover so your phone will not reflect any ray of light.
TWELVE
Don’t buy group dress from anyone for now.
No matter how close they are to you, don’t buy.
THIRTEEN
Don’t attend parties that you are not closely concerned with.
FOURTEEN
If you come under attack, remember there are only two rules to guide you:
- DO NOT PANIC
- DO NOT FORGET RULE 1
If you panic, you will attract attention to yourself, and you will not remember what you need to do to stay safe.
FIFTEEN
This is not the time to do fashion or showcase new clothing and shoes.
Anytime you go out, wear clothes and especially shoes that will allow you to run if needed.
Wear cheap shoes you can throw away if they impede your movement.
Your dress should not hinder your ability to run.
SIXTEEN
Prepare for any eventuality.
Do not say it can’t happen.
Be prepared.
Trouble can happen anywhere, anytime.
Remember your life is very important — not your phone or property.
SEVENTEEN
If you have to run, throw away anything in your hand.
Save yourself first.
Don’t wait to pick anything that drops from your hand.
Run as fast as you can.
EIGHTEEN
If there is shooting, follow these rules:
Do not panic.
The fact that you heard the gunshot means you are not hit — if you were hit, you would not hear the sound.
- Reduce your height first by bending down as close to the ground as possible.
- Try to identify the direction of the shots, then draw a cross, placing the direction of the shot at North or South; run East or West.
- Never run in a straight line in the opposite direction because bullets travel in straight lines.
- Never run toward the point of the gunshot.
- As you move out of the troubled area, identify hard objects or structures you can use for protection.
- If you notice the sound is getting closer, shift your position slightly as you run.
- If not, find a safe place and hide in a sitting position to avoid stray bullets.
NINETEEN
At this moment, avoid arguments with people.
When you notice anger rising, move out of the place quickly and quietly.
Just yesterday in Ado Ekiti, someone trying to settle an argument was stabbed and died instantly.
Don’t go to incident scenes to see what is happening.
TWENTY
At this moment, stay as close as possible to your home.
Know the shortest routes to your house in case you need to get home quickly.
Always keep some change at hand — not much, maybe 2k or less in case you need to board public transport out of a troubled area.
OPEN YOUR EYES AND BE ALERT.
Suspect everything, including people and places.
Please adhere strictly to the above write-ups.
We will not fall victim.
