Security companies in Africa (Nigeria etc)

[plains drifter]

yeah, maybe. the un might provide some leads.

forgot to mention that g4s have quite a lot going on in africa but as you know they are not a psc type set up.

cheers

[a5955]

I spent 3 months in Somalia two years ago and if u think Iraq is dangerous Somalia is much worse, if u are white down there no one will think twice about shooting or chopping u up.
The Niger Delta isn't much better.
Having worked alot in Africa I would advise u to think very carefully about going there at all, yes the money can be good, but the job is by no means the same as Iraq/Afghan, u can be out with NGO's for months living in tents in the bush with no comforts and only air resupplies adding to that the anti malaria treatments will make u feel like John Lennon,
Thats my pennies worth

[taylor104]

Try this link for the main problem in the Delta states . . . Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

The real problem in Lagos is armed street robbery exacerbated by the fact that traffic is pretty much static from 0630hrs til 1930hrs so if you were robbed in your vehicle you dont have the option of driving away from the danger.
The only advice that can be given (apart from personal and vehicle security) is dont carry too much money or valuables and give them what they want and you should walk away pretty much unscathed
Bear in mind that there are no weapons permits issued to non locals in Nigeria!!
AJ

[mcgeever71]

its mainly consultancy work over there these days, and as far as someone mentioning that the security threat is worse than the "middle east", might be slightly off!

the threat level is somewhat "sporadic" and not constant like afghan/iraq. threats can be anything from car-jacking, robbery/theft in the built up areas, site closures, site invasions, etc the odd kinapping here and there. Nigeria is extremely corrupt, and is drvien by money! At the very worst you'll end up ambling around the jungle by ur captives for afew months, until a "settlement figure" is agreed. alot of different factions from"MEND" all have the same goal ----------- MONEY!!!!!!

helps if you have africa experience when going for these roles, good sound working knowledge of Site Survey's, dealing with clients, providing "quality assurance", etc.

If there's any LC's amongst you with additional skills, let me know.

[covert munkey]

Thankyou for your info Mcgeever,

Some of our members might not know what 'LC's' are....me included haha.

CM

[plains drifter]

ok, thanks for that. i have a list that's pretty good re security comapnies, but inevitably it won't be exhaustive. i have armor, g4s, kk, sabre. any others would be welcome. cheers!

[Hawk]

Hi,
Some has already stated this above the environment is ever worse then Iraq in once sence.
Its actually very similar to risks such as from countries like Saudi Arabia ( worst country ever) I belive..the protection is always carried out unarmed.
For everything you do there is a jailsentence waiting for you, the thing in saudi is that everyone hate you and want to see you dead..the killings and kidnaps started again last year after a 2 year brake...
There is huge risks to westerners traveling there..the thing is you know they hate you.
in Africa they will kill you because you might have a watch or some new sneakers.
And the criminals are not a small % in the towns its rather 90%..so identifying a threat in Africa is more easy and still no armed protection is possible unless you know a war lord hehe..

I know we all look for work, but I have actually turned down job offers in Iraq because friends told me food and equipment is worse ever..
When I finaly went in I had a excellent company that I be honered to work with again anywhere..
Atleast they have eqipment ..

We all could do a good job probebly in good teams with professionals and excellent equipment, but when you are issued a machete to protect a client in Africa, when robbers and murders have AKs..

Getting a job might just not be worth it to any cost?
Be careful with what you wish for

Hawk

[taylor104]

McGeever, you are right on most points, however 'the odd kidnapping here and there' is a little of the mark.
Last year the kidnappings ran into hundreds, including one incident where 6 british oil workers were taken and another where a British child was kidnapped.
Admittedly this was down in the Delta states, but there again that is where the majority of security work is.

Having received weekly intelligence reports whilst I was out there I could see just how bad it was.
The kidnapping of the Brits only just made the news in the UK and the kidnapping other nationals were never reported at all. Its rumoured that the big companies have a slush fund to pay of M.E.N.D. who then let the victims go unscathed, so far!
I will try and dig out their statement of intent, which i seem to remember includes the lines' death to all westerners' or something along those lines.

The way ahead is intelligence, armoured vehicles and good defensive driving skills, and as the UK police would say when bad weather is closing in "If your journey is'nt important, stay indoors" or by the pool lol
AJ

[mcgeever71]

I would have to say i disagree on armoured vehicles and the high profile approach. and since, the nigerian government are still not "officially" allowing foreign nationals to be "armed", then its the good ole method of using the JTF/ or MOPOL who are likely to do a runner anyway! a high profile approach will only get you through traffic, which will eventially end up in you knocking down an ocada and provoking some serious attention to urself!!! sorry its not like the 200 yd and shoot deal, like baggers boys!! lol! there is a place and time for high profile, and west africa is not the place!!! like i said before, the kidnappings are few and far between! a german was kidnapped in PH for approx 12 hours, and then released afew weeks back. Nigeria, is an ok place to operate, its more about your diplomatic, tact and patience skills which are needed over there. abit of dashing here and there, no worries!

[Tim45]

plenty of western interests but there is a major issue of operating licences for the various companies...met a number of companies out there, armour and crg prevalent in nigeria but it all depends who dashes the various ministries the most as to who gets the work!