By DANIEL NDUKWE
The Christmas and New Year festive season is here again. During this time, your security and safety remain paramount to the Police in Enugu State. We encourage you to adhere to the following guidelines:*_
*1. Prioritize Planning and Security Awareness*
*Plan for the Season:*
– Avoid acting impulsively during the festive season.
– Plan your activities and make informed decisions in all you do.
*Security Advisory:*
– Familiarize yourself with the security situation of your current location and any place you intend to travel to.
– Don’t embark on trips without first assessing the safety of your destination and the routes leading there.
*Maintain Security Awareness:*
– Stay vigilant wherever you find yourself.
– Report any suspicious persons or activities to the nearest security agent immediately.
*2. Prepare for Safe Travel*
*Service Your Vehicle:*
– If traveling in your vehicle, ensure it is well-serviced.
– Check that the tires, brakes, and all critical components are in good condition to avoid breakdowns.
*Use Known Transport Companies and Parks:*
– When using public transport, ensure you travel with reputable transport companies from recognized motor parks.
– Avoid unauthorized or suspicious transport services to prevent falling victim to crimes such as “one chance.”
*Provide Accurate Details on Travel Manifests:*
– Always provide correct and traceable information on transport manifests. In emergencies, this allows authorities to contact your relatives easily.
*Protect Personal and Travel Information:*
– Avoid sharing your travel itinerary or location, and other vital personal information on social media. Share such details only with trusted loved ones.
*3. Secure Your Home Before Traveling*
*Home Security:*
– Activate your CCTV, if available.
– Avoid leaving house keys in easily accessible places like under carpets or flower pots. Instead, entrust them to a trusted individual or institution (e.g., your church).
– Switch on external lighting bulbs to create uncertainty about your presence, deterring potential criminals.
*Prevent Home Fire Outbreaks:*
– Ensure your fire alarm, if available, is active.
– Place fire extinguishers in accessible locations.
– Switch off all electrical sockets and appliances.
– Avoid storing highly flammable substances like petrol in your home.
– Keep the emergency contact numbers of fire service providers handy.
*4. Safeguard Your Family and Finances:*
*Ensure Childrens Safety:*
– Keep a close watch on your children or wards at all times.
– Be cautious about who you entrust them to and what environments they are exposed to.
*Practice Financial Prudence:*
– Spend wisely during the festive season. Avoid unnecessary debts or wasteful spending, so you don’t end up blaming “Village people” or taking to crime.
– Remember, there is life after the holidays, and January often feels financially longer.
*5. Save Emergency Contacts*
– Keep the contact numbers of police control rooms and Public Relations Officers (PROs) in the state you are traveling to or through. This ensures prompt reporting of distress or emergencies.
– _*For those traveling to or through Enugu State, the following emergency contacts are available:*_
– *Police Command Emergency Numbers:* 08032003702, 08086671202, 08098880172
– *Police PRO:* 08099854883
– *Commands CRU (Complaint Response Unit) for complaints against police misconduct:* 09160002486, 07059160602, 08176255557
*6. Entrust Everything to God*
Above all, pray and entrust all your plans and activities into the hands of Almighty God this yuletide season and always.
*We wish you safety, a joyful Christmas, and a prosperous New Year 2025 ahead!*
*DSP DANIEL NDUKWE, anipr, mnisma*
Police Public Relations Officer,
Enugu State Command.
