By Jelili Gbadamosi
DSP Oluwaseyi Babaseyi, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Ogun State Police Command has urged Nigerians to remain vigilant, protect lives and property, and adopt preventive security measures during the ember months.
Babaseyi gave the advice during Sparklight News’ monthly discourse, titled “Ember Months Security Alert,” held virtually via Zoom on Sunday.
He urged members of the public to be conscious of their surroundings, observe their environment and avoid sharing their travel plans indiscriminately, stressing the importance of personal security and vigilance.
The police officer also cautioned people against following unfamiliar individuals solely because of business opportunities, urging them to exercise caution and verify information before making decisions, particularly when under pressure or driven by curiosity.
On digital security, Babaseyi warned against clicking unfamiliar links requesting personal information and urged the public to be careful about the information they share online or send to unknown persons.
He also advised people to verify the identities of individuals requesting money before making transfers, warning that fraudsters often exploit trust, fear and urgency to deceive their victims.
According to the security guidelines highlighted during the discourse, members of the public should never disclose their bank PINs, passwords or one-time passwords to anyone. Suspected fraud should be reported promptly to the appropriate financial institutions and relevant authorities.
Babaseyi further warned against jungle justice, stressing that suspected offenders should be handed over to the police rather than subjected to mob action.
He emphasised the need for responsible information sharing, advising the public to distinguish facts from assumptions and avoid circulating unverified voice notes, rumours and sensational claims that could cause panic, damage reputations or undermine security operations.
The discourse also highlighted the importance of protecting sensitive information that could endanger victims or compromise rescue operations. Members of the public were encouraged to preserve relevant evidence only when it was safe to do so and report incidents through appropriate channels.
On everyday safety, participants were encouraged to plan their routes before leaving home, ensure their phones were charged, secure their homes and inform trusted persons of their itineraries where appropriate.
At public gatherings, they were advised to identify emergency exits, keep track of their children and companions, and secure their belongings. Anyone who notices a potential security threat was encouraged to move to safety, report the facts promptly and follow official instructions without putting their life at risk.
The discourse emphasised that familiar photographs do not necessarily establish a person’s identity and that urgent requests for money should not be accepted without independent verification.
It concluded with a call for Nigerians to take personal security seriously, provide timely and factual information to the authorities, and avoid actions that could endanger themselves or others.
The central message of the session was that individual vigilance, responsible reporting and cooperation with security agencies are essential to protecting lives and property during the ember months.
