Operating in West Africa – Etiquette & Threat Landscape | Hilda Dafe Nwachukwu

Operating in unknown territory is second nature to most close
protection operatives. Even still, planning and preparation will
make the journey into the unknown much more secure than it would
otherwise be.  


On this episode of the podcast, we are speaking with Hilda Dafe
Nwachukwu, a Global Crisis Response Manager to discuss how
operators can go about mastering etiquette and better understand
the threat landscape when operating in West Africa. 


Tune in as we chat about:


What the uninitiated need to know about operating in West
Africa?

What international security operators and professionals
should do to prepare for a trip to the region?

What should people be aware of when it comes to local
etiquette and customs when planning for a trip to West Africa?

What are some of the current challenges operators would face
in global and corporate security in the region?

What is the best advice for anyone looking to get a job
within corporate security in West Africa?



One of the biggest takeaways Hilda gives us on this episode is:
“If you do not have the right training or the right
network, and you don't understand the environment, you're set up to
fail.”

 


More about Hilda Dafe
Nwachukwu: 


Hilda’s career spans 14 years in security management in both
public and corporate security environments. She started her
career in Nigeria’s intelligence agency; the Department of State
Services (DSS) where she worked until she joined Cummins in 2017,
as a security manager, West Africa. While at Cummins, Hilda has
led several projects, including the design and implementation of
the security architecture for CWAL’s 2019 $35million flagship
facility in Lagos. She also led the deployment of CWAL’s Customer
Service Excellence (CSE) project and is now Global Crisis
Response Manager at Cummins.


Holding both a master’s degree in crime management and a
bachelor’s degree in microbiology, Hilda has also earned several
certifications from the American Society of Industrial Security
(ASIS).  Namely, she is a Certified Protection
Professional (CPP), Certified Investigator (PCI) and a Physical
Security Professional (PSP). Hilda is happily married to Victor
Nwachukwu, and they have two sons, Tobenna (9 years old) and
Jaachim (6 years old). In her leisure time, she loves to read,
swim and most definitely movie binge. 


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