There was a time when safety wasn’t something many Nigerians actively thought about.
Today, safety is no longer something you take for granted.
Across the country, people are adjusting their lifestyles, changing routines, investing in security, and taking precautions they never imagined they would need.
Today, conversations about insecurity have become part of everyday life, influencing where people go, how they travel, and the precautions they take to protect themselves and their loved ones.
We spoke to some Nigerians about the measures they’ve taken to protect themselves and their loved ones.
1. “I Turned My House Into a Fortress”
John, 35
I live in Ekpoma. It isn’t so remote, but it isn’t exactly a city either.
Over the last few years, there has been a major increase in insecurity in my area. Earlier this year, kidnappings became so rampant that some schools didn’t even resume on time.
My wife had to shut down her shop for a while, and my children were practically stuck indoors.
At some point, I realized prayers alone were not enough. I had to take action.
I installed electric fencing around my compound. Not for aesthetics o, I meant business. Even the walls outside have metal wiring on them.
If you touch am carelessly, you go understand immediately.
2. Depending On Self-Defense
Tobi, 28
Omo, I’m a newly married man.
I live in Ogun State, and even though my estate has security guards, I still don’t trust them with my life o. Those baba are no different from the olode patrolling at night.
Those baba are trying their best, but let’s be honest, if anything happens, everybody will first save themselves.
Every day, I think about protecting my family.
At this point, I’ve realized that nobody will protect me and my family better than myself. Every time I hear stories of kidnappings and attacks, I ask myself what I would do if I found myself in that situation.
I know owning a firearm is illegal in Nigeria, but sometimes the fear can make you think about things you normally wouldn’t. The truth is, I’d rather have a fighting chance than become another headline.
Abeg, my wife is too young not to enjoy me.
3. “Our Community Hired Private Security”
Mary, 50
Hmmm.
Nigeria in my younger days is very different from what we have now.
My children always say their generation inherited a broken country from us, and honestly, I can’t argue too much.
As reports of kidnappings increased, the men in my area came together and hired a private security company.
Even though Lagos has remained relatively calm, nobody wants to be caught off guard.
One thing insecurity has taught us is that prevention is always cheaper than regret.
4. “I Carry Pepper Spray Everywhere”
Chioma, 25
Nowadays, even when something funny happens online, I sometimes feel guilty laughing because the news is always depressing.
The insecurity that used to feel far away now feels close to everybody.
I carry pepper spray disguised as a perfume bottle.
I also have a small penknife.
Will it stop determined criminals? Maybe not.
But if anything happens, I won’t go down without a fight, mba
5. “My Security Plan Is God”
Uwem, 33
Me, I only have God.
Nothing else.
Because even if I wanted to fight back, these people are dangerous.
I’m about 5 feet 6 inches tall. What exactly do you expect me to do?
Wrestle kidnappers? I can’t o
The best thing I can do is pray.
Whenever I travel, I pray.
Whenever my loved ones leave the house, I pray.
Every day, I ask God to protect me and hide me from evil.
For now, that’s the security system I can afford.
Before you go
The saddest thing about insecurity is not just the fear it creates, it’s how deeply it has changed the way Nigerians live.
The question is no longer whether insecurity affects us.
The question is: how much of our daily lives has already changed?
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