How would you describe the current security situation in the country?

I’ve been in the security industry for upward of 22 years and I make bold to say that it has never been this bad that Nigerians can’t sleep with their eyes closed. About 15 years ago when I started sensitising Nigerians on TV and radio, it wasn’t this bad. Today, the situation has escalated to a level that people can’t freely travel to their villages. Five years ago, it was about Boko haram and banditry but now personal security has become threatened. However, this isn’t to make people afraid because we can deal with it. After all, we are a growing country. When we talk about insecurity, we talk about drug abuse and so many things that lead to corruption. So, we are just going to look at the variables and understand that we truly need to deal with these issues.

What measures do you suggest we take as individuals, business and as a nation in managing Nigeria’s security problems?

Individuals just need to be more security-conscious and this can only be achieved through consistent education using all available media. People also need to know who is following them and understand their environment. They need to know what to do at the right time. For example, you’re in a bus and your gut feeling is telling you something is wrong, you need to take heed. If it doesn’t feel right where you are, you need to make a move.  For businesses, there is need for more collaboration and financial support to engender a sustainable security. As a nation, there’s need for a political will to do the right thing. For a government that sincerely wants to protect its citizens, all Mr. President needs to do is enforce the law.

What safety and security tips would you give people who go for job interviews?

Growing up, Nigeria was not like this. When you get a job interview, you just go but unfortunately people don’t understand that things have changed. Today, people get killed by their families. My advice is that whatever you do, always carry someone along like a trusted adult. Even when surfing the internet, be careful with the kind of links you click. And when you get a fraudulent text message, it’s best not to respond to them. Also, you don’t just accept anyone to your home especially family members you haven’t seen in a long time, because they could be on the run or into drugs. We all need to step up our game and do more in terms of teaching. Government can buy all the security gadgets but without effective sensitisation, there can’t be meaningful improvement.

What’s your take on people who wield simple weapons as a means of self-defense?

I don’t understand why we have defensive equipment and we say we can’t use them.  It’s so sad that there’s pervasive insecurity and we have simple defensive equipment and you say we can’t use it. This baffles me. But I always advise people to use defensive equipment like pepper spray, shocker, and baton to protect themselves because you’re not going to just allow someone to walk into your home and get you killed. But when you have one, don’t abuse it. Even when the government gives suppliers license to import this, they should not also abuse it by selling to hoodlums. The little defensive equipment should be things we should have to protect ourselves.

Every woman should have a pepper spray, and must be taught how to use it to prevent herself from being mugged. I use it too.

What’s the first thing to do when one realises that he/she has become a victim of “one chance”?

There’s nothing you can do. You just need to cooperate with them and make sure that you come out alive. You can’t fight and you can’t scream. I always tell people that security is proactive, not reactive. My advice is, don’t rush to the bus-stop to enter a bus because you can actually detect those one-chance guys. For example, you want to enter a bus and you see two men sitting at the back taking positions, you should ask yourself why are these people sitting like this? If they’re all men and you’re a lady, you should know you shouldn’t enter the bus. Sometimes, your gut feeling tells you but you won’t listen. People will always say God will protect me. We are too religious.

We need to understand that this is a delicate time and we need to protect ourselves. Never attempt to fight back and don’t make eye contact, you just calm down and don’t panic. They too are in a hurry to get what they want. But, unfortunately these days, they have taken to kidnapping for the ransom. So, it’s really a lot of job for us to do and that’s one of the things you are doing here today, sensitisation.

The general election is fast approaching, what’s your advice on the security measures that should be put in place to protect ourselves and property?

First, if you don’t belong to a political party, you don’t need to be at their rally. Whatever information you need can be gotten through news media. Even if you must go, don’t discuss other political parties. We should abstain from inciting others. You can’t wear a rival political party’s T-shirt to a political party’s rally and don’t expect trouble. We must respect boundaries. I know we are going through a situation right now but we need to be more careful. Whoever wins, people should just accept him and let’s move on. It’s only God who chooses a leader and His will must prevail. People should not forget that politics is about self-interest. The politicians, after the elections will also come together. Why should we stick our necks for them?

Politics is about self-interest. Nigeria is yet to recognise the importance of private security. We have over five million personnel across the country and they see things. A well-meaning government should be able to mine information from these personnel.

Who is Richard Amuwa and what inspired your interest in security matters?

I was 19 when I came to Lagos to hustle. I came from a humble family and my parents couldn’t afford to send me to the university. But I said to myself that I won’t be like any other boy on the street. So, I decided to work and go to school. It wasn’t easy but I was able to pull through to the glory of God. I studied Mass Communication at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ) and also pursued a career in security management and I had my advanced diploma from University of Lagos, Akoka. I am a licensed security consultant. I’ve also had foreign trainings mostly from United States and United Kingdom.

Ayodele Johnson

Ayodelé is a Lagos-based journalist and the Content and Editorial Coordinator at Meiza. All around the megacity, I am steering diverse lifestyle magazine audiences with ingenious hacks and insights that spur fast, informed decisions in their busy lives.