Insecurity: How to Know When You are Being Followed

Image credit: Alexi Linch

By Humphrey Godson 

Insecurity in Nigeria has forced some citizens to limited their movement due to the kidnapping going on in some parts of the states. Some people are now scared to travel, some avoid late night movement, some avoid certain commercial vehicles, while some have limited the movement of their children and siblings.

Insecurity has been a major concern in Nigeria, mostly from the northern part of the country. There have been several cases of kidnappings and banditry in these parts which has resulted to innocent citizens being killed or released by paid ransom.

Dispite the government trying hard to tackle the situation, it just keeps getting bad by the day. But if Nigerians can be well imparted on certain security tips to help them be more alert and conscious of their environment and how to quickly sight suspicious movement in their surroundings will be an added advantage even why the government keeps combating the situation.

That is what this article is going to be all about today. I will be sharing with you at some security tips that can help you stay alert, conscious and know when you are been followed.

Note that what I am sharing here is based on human capacity and capabilities and as we all know we are of different capacity.

One of the ways kidnappers or any criminal trail their victim is by gradually following them from behind looking for a perfect time to double cross and attack.

But with the following tips you will quickly be aware of such attack and then have enough time to make inform decision that will free you from falling victim.

Car Owners

As a car owner, when you are driving always make sure that your eyes are on your inner mirror as it serves as an awareness tool. The purpose of the inner mirror is to give drivers a clear view of traffic and people walking directly behind their car without looking back.

As a driver you can advantage of this inner mirror to give you a complete picture of your immediate surroundings, thereby telling you what is presently going on.

There is also the side mirror which enables you to know who or what is approaching you towards the left or the right side. Unlike the inner mirror which can not really give you a clear picture of activities going on either both side, the side mirror is more effective in revealing activities on both side of your car.

During the cause of taking these steps will help you know if you are being followed or not and below are how to know when you are being followed. 

Take Several Turns

It is very easy to quickly spot a car following you through driving patterns. If a car raises suspicion it is advised to take several unusual turns to see if the vehicle will follow and when this happens, it's means you are being followed.

Changing Route

Changing your route can also be very helpful in knowing if you are being followed. You can exit the main road and find a random street to enter and if the car immediately follows you into the street, then there is every possibilities the car is following you.

Adjust Your Speed

Another way you can also know if you are been followed is to regulate your speed. How do I mean?  Try to speed up a little and if the car does the same, it shows that you are been follow.

Multiple U-Turns

This is a very sensitive way to know if you are being followed because it can not be overlooked. If you suspect you are being followed, drive towards a U-Turn and make several u-turns, if the car repeats same, then it definitely means you are being followed.

In all of these, the best cause of action is not to engage with them or to stop on the road, or even to go into a need for speed contest, rather drive to the nearest police station and quickly make a report.

Walking

This is not just for people who drive, there are cases of people who were kidnapped while walking on the road and so for someone who walks most of the time, he or she needs to be security conscious to identify treats.

If you are someone who walks often probably because you don't have a car, these are steps you also need to take to make sure that you are alerted and to know when you are being followed.

Take Opposite Lane 

For you to know the intention of any moving vehicle, it is important to take the lane where cars are coming from your front and not where it is coming from behind, that way even when a car loses control you can quickly see it and avoid it. 

And it will be difficult for a car to drive behind you because you are in the lane where cars are coming from the front and not behind.

Don't Go Home 

If it happens that you suspect a car following you, you are advised not to go home, that may be more dangerous, instead find a narrow place where the car can not enter to hide and observe the activities of the vehicle and it's occupants or go to a crowded place where you can easily escape with the crowd.

Walk to The Police Station 

Walk to the nearest police station and make a report and stay there for a while if need be. You can ask any of the police officers to take you home if you feel less safe walking out on your own.

Observe Surroundings 

When walking on the street or main road, always take time to observe your surroundings and people walking on the same street, this will help to detect unusual movements. Don't just focus your eyes towards where you are going to, rather look around so you are not caught unaware.

Commercial Vehicles 

Watch carefully before entering any commercial bus and try to maintain eye contact with the persons you see inside the bus and if a suspect is spotted, one way to know is that he will quickly turn towards the opposite direction to avoid eye contact or begin to look at surroundings for witnesses.

I hope this helps you in your day to day activities from intentionally and unintentionally falling victims to criminals or kidnappers. But whether you are a car owner or a walker, building a parameter of consciousness will help to keep you alert.