Your Shield, Your Street Smarts: The Essential Guide to Personal Safety in Nigeria

​In a country as vibrant and dynamic as Nigeria, our daily lives are a colourful mix of hustling, celebration, and community. However, the realities of rising insecurity, from petty street crime to more serious issues like “one-chance” attacks and kidnapping, mean that personal safety is not a luxury—it is an absolute necessity.

​For the average Nigerian, relying solely on external security forces is not enough. We must all become the primary custodians of our own safety. This blog post is a practical guide, a compilation of essential street smarts and home security measures that every Nigerian should internalise to navigate our cities and towns with confidence and caution.

​ Understanding the Landscape: The Threats We Face

​Based on various security reports and general public sentiment, a significant majority of Nigerians express concerns about their personal safety. The fear of crime, especially while walking in our neighbourhoods or being in our homes, is a daily reality for many. The most common threats we must prepare for include:

• ​Petty Theft/Pickpocketing: Common in crowded areas like markets, bus stops, and during traffic gridlock.
• ​Robbery (Armed & Unarmed): A frequent threat, especially in residential areas, on highways, and late at night.
• ​Kidnapping and Abduction: A growing and serious problem across various regions, often targeting individuals perceived to be wealthy or travelling in vulnerable areas.
• ​“One-Chance” Operations: Criminals operating as taxi or bus drivers/passengers who rob and sometimes harm unsuspecting commuters.

​Acknowledging these risks isn’t about fostering fear; it’s about being informed and proactive. It’s the first step in building a personal security mindset.

Street Smarts: Mastering Situational Awareness

​The single most effective tool in your personal safety arsenal is Situational Awareness—the ability to be constantly aware of your surroundings and any potential threats.

​1. Minimise Distraction, Maximise Observation

• ​Put the Phone Away: When walking in public, especially in crowded or unfamiliar areas, keep your phone secured. Walking with your eyes glued to your screen or both ears covered with headphones makes you an easy target.
• ​Head Up, Eyes Moving: Practice the ‘4-Second Scan’: every four seconds, consciously scan your immediate environment (front, back, sides) for anything unusual or out of place. This practice helps you detect if you are being followed or observed.
• ​Trust Your Gut (Juju Sense): If a situation, place, or person feels wrong, it probably is. Your intuition, often called your ‘sixth sense’, is a natural alarm system. Exit the situation immediately—cross the road, enter a busy shop, or turn back.

​2. Safeguarding Your Valuables

• ​Dress Down: Avoid overtly displaying wealth. Leave the expensive jewellery, watches, and large amounts of cash at home. The goal is to look like less of a target.
• ​Secure Your Bag: Carry bags close to your body, preferably across your chest. In crowded places, shift backpacks to your front.
• ​ATM Caution: Only use ATMs in well-lit, secure locations (preferably inside a bank or busy commercial area) and during daylight hours. Be mindful of anyone standing unusually close, and never accept help from strangers.

​ Safe Transit: Commuting Without Chance

​Whether you drive yourself or use public transport, commuting in Nigeria presents unique risks, especially the notorious “one-chance” syndicate.

​1. Using Public Transport (Commercial Buses and Taxis)

• ​Avoid Empty Vehicles: Never enter a commercial taxi or bus that is completely empty or has suspiciously few passengers, especially at night. A “normal” vehicle should have other legitimate passengers.
• ​Share Your Trip Details: If using ride-hailing services (Uber, Bolt, etc.), always confirm the driver’s identity and vehicle details match the app before entering. Use the app’s feature to share your live location and trip details with a trusted contact.
• ​Stay Awake and Alert: Avoid sleeping in public transport, no matter how tired you are. Keep your phone and wallet secure and out of sight.

​2. Driving and Traffic

• ​The “Stop-and-Go” Danger: In heavy traffic, especially where hawkers are present, keep your windows rolled up and your doors locked. Be mindful of motorcycles approaching your car.
• ​Unofficial Checkpoints: Be cautious of individuals posing as law enforcement to extort or rob you. Drive calmly, have your necessary documents (driver’s license, vehicle papers) ready, and cooperate, but never hand over original documents or large sums of money unless your life is in immediate danger.

​Home & Family Security: Your Fortress

​Your home should be your sanctuary. Strong residential security is the bedrock of family safety.

​1. Physical Security Upgrades

• ​High-Quality Locks and Burglary Proof: Invest in solid, multi-point locks for all doors and windows. Install effective burglary-proof bars on windows and gates.
• ​Security Lighting: Install motion-sensor security lights around your perimeter. A well-lit compound is a strong deterrent.
• ​Engage with Your Community: Participate in or help establish a Neighborhood Watch program. Good rapport with trusted neighbours who can monitor your property, especially when you are away, is invaluable.

​2. Protecting Your Routine

• ​Vary Your Routine: Criminals often study a victim’s routine before an attack. Change your routes and timings for coming and going to work, and avoid posting your travel plans on social media.
• ​Background Checks for Staff: Conduct thorough and independent background checks on domestic staff (maids, drivers, guards) and limit the sensitive information they have about your household, travel, and finances.
• ​Gate Protocol: Never open your gate to a stranger without a thorough verification process. Use peepholes, security cameras, or a gate intercom. Always confirm the visitor’s identity before disarming any security measures.

​Emergency Preparedness: When the Unthinkable Happens

​Preparation can save your life in a crisis.

• ​Memorise Emergency Contacts: Have a minimum of two emergency numbers (a trusted family member and a local police/security contact) memorised, not just saved on your phone.
• ​Have a Plan: Discuss a clear, simple emergency plan with your family. Where is the safest room in the house? What is the agreed-upon signal for danger?
• ​Non-Resistance: In the event of an armed confrontation (robbery, kidnapping), the primary advice from security experts is to cooperate and not resist. Your life and the lives of your loved ones are more valuable than any property. Stay calm, follow instructions, and observe details (voices, accents, scars) that may help investigators later.

​Building a Culture of Safety

​Personal safety in Nigeria isn’t a one-time thing; it’s a daily commitment to vigilance, preparation, and caution. By adopting these security tips, we are not just protecting ourselves—we are contributing to a safer community for everyone. Stay safe, stay smart, and may your journeys be secure.