NATIONAL SECURITY IS OUR COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY By Toyin S. Enisan

NATIONAL SECURITY IS OUR COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY
 

Joh 10:10 "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.  (NKJV)

1Th 5:6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober.  (NKJV)

1Pe 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.  (NKJV)

2Ti 3:1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:  (NKJV)

“Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty”  

(Wendell Phillips, January 28, 1852)

The above quotations, evidently shows that very long ago both Humanity and Divinity have come to one conclusion: 

FREEDOM IS NOT FREE, IT IS AT A COST.

A) WE HAVE A COMMON ADVERSARY

B) THEIR INTENTION IS TO:

- STEAL OUR PEACE AND UNITY

- KILL US MORALLY, PSYCHOLOGICALLY AND PHYSICALLY

- DESTROY OUR FREEDOM / DEMOCRACY AND HERITAGE / PROPERTY

C) WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY / A PRICE TO PAY: That is:

1) SOBER REFLECTION

2) WATCHFULNESS

3) VIGILANCE

4) HOPEFULNESS

These is indeed are the last days; perilous times are surely upon us, or; how do we explain the inferno of terrorism raging across the Globe today.

However we are well able to quench this fiery furnace if each one of us can just add a little drop of water on the inferno.

“OUR LITTLE DROP OF WATER” is by knowing and observing the under listed:  

DEFINITION OF SECURITY

Security is the protection of persons, properties and organizations from harm and or attacks. 

GENERAL SECURITY:

1. Do a back ground check on your domestic servants before hiring them.

2. Make your domestic staff present at least two guarantors before their employment.

3. Avoid sleeping in Public.

4. Be cautious in responding to emergency calls or knocks on your doors or gate.

5. When you open door or gate to anyone do not turn your back on them before they enter, ensure he or she enters completely and YOU lock the door before turning your back. 

6. Good access control measures must be observed.

7. Keep your travelling / movement schedule and itineraries as confidential as possible.

8. Have a trusted friend or neighbour check on your home while away.

9. Keep doors locked even when at home.

10. Keep at least one fire extinguisher at home.

11. Establish a safe family living pattern.

12. Rehearse safety drills. 

13. Establish a safe haven in your home.

14. Know and Memorize emergency phone lines of nearest Fire Service Department, Police / Security Agencies and Public Health / Ambulance Services.

15. Know and observe all safety rules of Vehicle and Road usage.

16. Comply with all building regulations when putting up structures.

17. Be current on news and happenings in your environment.

18. Provide Help (as much as you can) to get job for some idle minds / hands in your environment.

19. Be vigilant and take note of changes in your environment.    

20. Observe any strange behaviours around your neighbours and anybody.

21. Always retain a minimum credit balance in your phone, for use in calling trusted friends, etc in an emergency situation.

CHILDREN

1. Teach them never to admit strangers into the home.

2. Make sure younger children know their names, address and phone numbers.

3. Caution teenagers about blind dates.

4. Teach children not to open mails or packages.

5. Teach them not to give out personal information.

6. Teach children how to exit the house in case of emergency.

7. Keep drugs away from children.

8. Observe any strange behaviours around your children.

9. Know your children.

CASH and ATM

1. Visit ATM machine during the day.

2. Choose ATM location that is in a busy public place.

3. Avoid making withdrawals in isolated areas.

4. Pre-plan your transactions carefully, do not spend much time.

5. Watch out for suspicious-looking people waiting around.

6. If you are forced to reveal your pin number at ATM point, do that starting from the last digits.

7. If you have not finished your transactions, and you are approach by any suspicious character, press the cancel button.

8. Pre plan your cash before coming out of your house or ATM centre such only cash need are brought out of your pocket or wallet when need arises.

9. Arrange all cash from the smallest to the bigger denomination such that it is the smallest note that can first be seen.

10. Do not keep too much or unneeded cash around you.

11. Where you are a highly cash liquid individual, never let people know and consciously create a reversed impression.

IN YOUR CAR

1. Check your tires, engine and boot before moving your car from parked position.

2. Keep your car in good running condition and keep the tank at least quarter full.

3. Lock doors while driving.

4. If your car breaks down, raise the hood and place reflectors.

5. If you are coming or going after dark, park in a well lit area.

6. Always lock your car and take the keys, even if you will be gone for a few minutes.

7. In case of emergency press your horn consistently.

8. Avoid loud music while driving.

9. Be watchful while in traffic.

10. Avoid doing business in traffic.

11. Separate your car keys from your house keys, before handing over to a mechanic.

12. Observe all other Road Safety and driving rules. 

ON FOOT

1. Choose busy streets and avoid going through vacant lots, or other deserted areas.

2. Try not to jog alone.

3. Get to know the neighbourhood and neighbours.

4. At night walk in well lit areas.

5. Carry your purse close to your body and keep a firm grip on it.

6. Avoid pick pockets by carrying wallet in the inside pocket of your jacket.

7. Be mindful of anybody approaching you.

8. Be mindful of crowded areas even if it appears innocent.

9. Watch out for motorbike operators.

10. Walk on the side of the road facing the coming traffic, never back the traffic and if you must back the traffic; always wait and turn to see the coming vehicle pass before moving on.

11. Always walk on the pavement / road user section of the road.

12. Use the zebra crossing sections of the road while crossing.

13. Use the designated bridge (where available) while crossing the highway.

14. While walking along with a child ensure you are between the child and the moving vehicles. 

IN A HOTEL ROOM

1. Select a room on the third to fifth floor.

2. Familiarize yourself with escape routes.

3. Use the door viewer (peep-hole).

4. Do not entertain visitors in your hotel room.

5. Keep your room neat.

6. Do not discuss your room number while at the lobby.

7. Place your valuables in a hotel safe deposit box.

FIRE:  Fire is made of 3 ELEMENTS

 OXYGEN

 HEAT

 FUEL

Remove ANY of the ELEMENTS and the FIRE will go off

CHARACTERISTICS OF FIRE

 Fire travels at lightning speed- up to 19 feet per second.

 Fire has no definite time of occurrence.

 It is not fire that usually kills but the product the smoke, toxic gases, combustion and superheated air.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES

 Install smoke detectors in your homes.

 Create and practice a fire escape plan.

 Always keep at least one fire extinguisher at home.

 Don’t place barbecue grills or open flames on the balcony.

 Check for faulty electrical wiring.

Note:  Play by the safety rules mention above, fire is a respecter of nobody; always educate your spouse and Children on how to handle anything that can result to fire in your absence.   

   

EXPLOSIVES AND TERRORISM

HOW TO IDENTIFY AN IED (IMPROVISED EXPLOSIVE DEVICE)   

A well known method of attack, which has become ever more common recently, is Bomb blast  

IED can be disguised in so many forms, ranging from letters, phones, food flask etc. 

SIGNS of an IED

Large packages:  

 Letter bombs can be small, but flat, thin envelopes are very unlikely to contain them.

 Beware of flashy designed food flask, or abnormal flask sent to you for food or water.

 Inspect the parcel for lumps or unusual bulges.

 Take note of stains, especially oil marks.

 If you have any doubt, please call the police for help.

SIGNS of a TERRORIST

 Repeated attempts to steer clear of security operations:  

 Walking slowly while glancing side to side running in a suspicious manner.

 Nervous, hesitant, sweating profusely or mumbling.

 A person holding on to his suitcase, handbag, or backpack at all times.

 Dressing to conceal.

 Protruding electrical cable or wire from a bag.

 Anything unusual or abnormal or out of sync in an environment

TARGETS OF TERRORIST’S ATTACKS: These are possible flash points terrorists’ target-

• Crowded Areas

• Worship Centers

• Government Agencies

• Power Houses

The target they select is always derived from their objectives.

POLICE EMERGENCY NUMBERS

In Lagos Nigeria the under-mentioned are some phone numbers you can call when in distress:

1. Alausa 2 – 08065154338

2. Control Room 3 Ikeja – 08063299264

3. The IGP (text only) - 08077446699

These numbers are 24 Hours Service

SUMMARY

Fundamental functions of security are:

1.  The guarantee of our safety. 

2.  Safety refers to freedom from danger, injury and damage and personal safety. 

3.  Safety permeates everything we do in life.

4.  Therefore instead of thinking security, we should think safety.

Safety means: 

   A complete understanding of your work and knowledge of every step that must be taken and the realization that mistake could be costly to yourself and to your organization or Nation.

Remember that one risk taken might mean an accident from which you may never recover again.             

SAFETY TIPS IN A CHURCH SETTING: Responsibility for your own security.

• Be conscious of your environment.

• Take note Properties untended to.

• Be conscious of people sitting around you.

• Garbage Can should be constantly emptied.

• Cell phones should be switch off while in worship centers.

• Keep your valuables from public view.

• Be observant –be curios without being noticed.

• Bag or strange cable around worship centers to be reported immediately.

• Damaged seats, abandoned vehicles, etc around worship centers should be discouraged. (Such places are plat forms for hiding explosives).

• Control the influx of people into the center, CC TV at the entrance and other strategic points is advisable.

• Avoid sleeping during while program is going on. 

• Don’t hurry out of programs and don’t panic in distress, be controlled.  

• Always take a mental picture of the persons sitting next to you in service and extend hand of love to them. (This will help in identifying them in case of any incident).

• Don’t reserve seat with your valuables.

• Empty yourself of important documents, valuables before you set for any occasion.

• Car lots should be monitored by train security personnel or ushering depts., and CC TV. 

CONCLUSION: 

Security is a collective responsibility;

Global Security or insecurity depends on that seemingly little contributions of yours;

Terrorism is an ideology; only through superior ideology can it be defeated.

Have an abundantly secure life.

 Written By: Toyin S. Enisan 

 Technical Contributions: Marcus Bette