Security advisory: Kidnap incidents in Lagos.....!!!

Dear ALL, 

I am a parent of Corona primary school Ikoyi and I just received this piece of bad news from my office HR Dept. and thought I should share it with everyone living in and around Lagos.

Please let us all be careful and play SAFE!!!

 

Security Advisory: Kidnap Incidents in Lekki

There have been at least three kidnap incidents in Lekki Phase 1 in the last five days.  Two of the incidents occurred after dark during transit, including one which involved trailing the target and tail-gating into her residence.

In the third incident, an infant child of an oil company staff being taken to school in the morning was abducted, together with a nanny and driver.

 

The profile of the victims suggests that these were targeted kidnaps - impacting the families of two oil company staff and the CEO of a construction firm.  It is also likely that the criminal gangs responsible for these incidents are targeting Lekki at this time but can relocate their operations to other relatively affluent neighbourhoods.

 

As usual, we will work with Lagos State Security Council to secure our neighbourhoods, but while kidnap gangs are on the prowl we would like to remind you of some tips that may help reduce the risk of you or your dependants becoming victims of kidnappers:

* Vary your routine as much as practicable.  The more predictable your movements and schedules, the easier it is for a kidnapper to plan and execute your abduction.  This applies as much to places of leisure and entertainment as it does to places of worship, shopping, or schooling.

 

* Consider making your kids use designated school buses instead of your car.

 

* Drivers should always be on the lookout for a stubbornly trailing vehicle, and be aware that they are especially vulnerable during the few seconds they stop to open a gate and drive into premises.

 

* If you suspect you are being followed, drive to a safe place where help is near.  It is best to pre-designate such a place in your neighbourhood, just in case - a police station, busy hotel or restaurant, or even back to the expressway, but never into a cul-de-sac.  Have somebody in the car call Security for assistance.

 

* If you must travel through isolated roadways, choose a time of day when the area is likely to have more traffic.  Use reliable transportation, because you are very likely to be kidnapped, robbed, or hurt if you should stop to fix a car problem.

 

* The risk is the same if you stop for a 'bathroom break'.  Ensure that you and your family members, especially children, use the bathroom at home before you embark on a trip.

 

* Do not make fuel stops in isolated roadways.

 

* Rather than taking your children to salons fix their hair for hours, consider having the service provided in your home by a trusted provider, even if you have to pay a little more.

 

* Review the security tips shared at the office with members of your household, and ensure they know the phone number to call in a security emergency.

 

* Don't hesitate to call your Security contact for advice or guidance if required.

   

If you live in an area with high kidnap incident rates, there is always a possibility that you could already be a target, or that you or your family members are being developed as targets.  If it happened to the three families in Lekki over the last five days, it could happen to you!  Anything you do to make surveillance with criminal intent more difficult can reduce the chances of your becoming a victim.

May the Almighty God guide and protect us all, Amen.

Yewande Coker