Protect Yourself From Carjacking!

^Freepik

Hi friends, I hope you're great, I'm wishing you a happy weekend. I would like to talk about Carjacking today because it is a growing concern in Nigeria nowadays & even in most parts of the world, where incidences of vehicle theft and hijacking have surged! I would also share my personal experience with carjackers. The truth is that this alarming trend poses a threat to personal safety and it also leads to significant financial loss and emotional trauma. So Understanding how to protect yourself from such incidents is important for our peace of mind and security.

My Experience:

Sunday, February 13th, 2024, is the date I will never forget in a hurry if at all I will do. It's the day my husband's car was hijacked just right in front of our gate. Our area is such a vibrant and peaceful estate, and You hardly heard of notoriety crimes. That evening my husband was sitting out with some of his friends who just travelled down from Lagos in a nearby hotel. As he drove home that night, he said that he noticed a group of young men loitering on our street, but he didn't bother about them because, though there were recent stories about carjacking, it never happened in our area.

^Freepik

As my husband reached our gate, he off the car, lowered his window, and sat inside, waiting for us to come out and open the gate. In a split second, everything changed. I mean, in less than 2 Mins, before we could open the gate for him to drive in, The group of young men surrounded his car. He said there were about six of them, armed and aggressive. With guns pointed at him, they opened the door through the window. He felt a rush of fear. When they demanded the car keys, he had no choice but to hand them over. Just like that, our car was gone..

The shock of the event sent shivers down my spine. I was shaking and thinking of so many things; I mean, My husband is always vigilant and security-conscious, but he was suddenly in a terrifying situation. Thankfully, they didn’t harm him, & we were grateful to God for that, but the loss of our car left us feeling vulnerable and anxious. Though we reported the incident to the local authority (police station), we couldn't find the car. Well, it's a story for now.

Recalling & reflecting on that experience made me realize the importance of always being alert, & proactive about our safety no matter where we are. And I want to share some strategies that can help us protect ourselves from carjacking:

Tips To Minimize The Risk Of Being Carjacked

1) Always be aware of your surroundings: be vigilant. If you notice any suspicious persons, trust your instincts, & leave the place immediately; in fact, if possible, avoid the area. Don't be distracted by your phone, especially when you stop in traffic or at signals.

2) Always Lock Your Car Doors:* Keep your vehicle doors locked while driving & even when packing & waiting for someone at the park, ensure windows are closed to prevent easy access to your car. And if possible, keep your car in initial so that you can easily zoom off if need be.*

3) Keep a distance between your car & the one that packs in your front because this will allow you to maneuver & escape from danger if need be.

4) If a car bumps into you at the rear while you're driving, be cautious about getting out to inspect the damage; in fact, you should ignore it because It might be a ruse. Especially If it happens in a high-risk area, just drive directly to the nearest police station. Also, Be aware of strangers loitering near your home entrance. If you notice such movement, it's safer to drive on & come back home later, or you may even drive to a nearby police station.

^Freepik

5) If you have to wait in a car parked, & it's in a risky area, or there are few people around, be aware of what is happening around you both in front and behind you. If you sense any danger, you should drive around the block.

6) Always drive in a well-lighted area at night, & stick to populated streets because criminals are likely to operate in areas with more foot traffic.

7) If you suspect any suspicious behavior or movement around your car, don't waste time driving away and seeking help.

8) Report any unusual activities you've noticed to your local authorities.

9) Most importantly Use Security Features In your car & keep these securities activated. Consider investing in a car tracker; though expensive, it's for added peace of mind.

In conclusion, carjacking is a serious threat to us, and as such, we need to be vigilant and proactive. My experience taught me this and served as a reminder of how quickly situations can change & escalate. But if we take some preventive measures & be aware of our surroundings, we can better safeguard ourselves against carjackers. Remember, to stay informed & be always prepared for your personal safety in this ever-changing world. Please protect yourself and your loved ones by taking the necessary steps to ensure a secure driving experience!