SPECIAL SECURITY VERSUS BODYGUARDS, WHICH FORM OF SECURITY IS BETTER FOR VIPs?

Wherever you sight an important personality in Nigeria today, there must definitely be a security detail attached to him. Whether in public or private, these security details are usually more than one in number. Some Very Important Personalities VIPs like politicians or government officials use the regular police, army or just civilian guards. Some may be uniformed while others may not. However some of these diverse security details may be career persons on the job while others are just for the sake of the moment.

This post lets us understand the difference between bodyguards and other special security formations attached to VIPs.

In this editorial, I shall also examine and bring to light the different types of security formations commonly seen among Nigerian VIPs with the view to knowing what form of security is better for our VIPs. If you consider yourself a VIP and as such entitled to maximum security, this post tells you what form of protection to subscribe to.

We have three forms of personal or public security formation so far seen in our society today;

• the human security (may be career or occupational or paid-job security)
• the animal security and
• the gadget security.

These three forms are usually used either singly or in combination. The most common form of these three types is the human security which is the type of security provided and sustained by man around. The human security may either be what I call the Special Security formation or the Body Guard security. However, before I continue on this, let me throw more light on the other primary forms of VIP security attachment formations.

The animal security is the form of security provided and sustained by animals like specially trained dogs or other tamed animals. These animals may be either trained to scare or ward off or to really attack or confront any foreign incursion on their subject. This form of security may be incapable of dealing with ballistic or distant security threats like bullets from snipers, rockets or other thrown objects. However, a VIP may enjoy an effective security cordon when viable threats rely on body contacts alone to materialize.

Gadget Security is a form of security via gadgets and other forms of technological hardware. These may include but not limited to security cameras or CCTVs, bomb and metal detectors, security alarm systems and other security gadgets. This form of security usually needs the Human Security formations to become effective. In Nigeria, this type can be seen around important public or government buildings, vehicles, streets, walkways and even in private homes.

Now back to the main issue at hand. Dissecting the human security formation, the Special Security Formation is commonly utilized by the governments while private VIPs patronize more of the Body Guard Security formation. You may wish to know the difference between the Body Guard Security and the Special Security Formations.

Both forms of human security are career paths. They are employable jobs and because of their high-risk nature, both are usually well paid. Factually, the security sector in Nigeria has employed over 15% of the Nigeria population - both in private or public or government security.
Some individuals have developed careers either in the production and sale of security gadgets. Some enjoy lucrative career jobs as well trained spy and protection agents while other work for the government as the military or paramilitary.

The body guard security depends more on body size, fighting skills and muscle power for intimidation. However, the Special Security Formation works by applying more technicalities which bothers more on education, skills and training. This is why the Special Security formation relies more on planning, anticipation and preparedness (brain power). Can you imagine the Department of State Security DSS guarding the President of Nigeria?, this is an example of a special security formation.

Having considered these three forms of security formations and also considering the peculiarities of the Nigerian society, which form of security do you consider best for VIPs? It is an established fact that because of current security challenges facing Nigeria, most VIPs in this country may wish to apply all three forms of security. Of course, this gives you the best form of personal and public security if only you can afford it. Your comments and contributions are welcomed as you share this information with friends on the social media.