CONVOY DRIVING AND

EXECUTIVE PROTECTION

By
Dr SA Balogun
Aug 23, 2008
 Introduction

• Convoy drivers constitute a small percentage

of drivers, even In the seat of government like
Abuja on the traffic (or which ever road they
pass) do attract both the attention and the
condemnation of the road users.
• More so, that the articles or personalities
carried by the convoy vehicles are constrained
to violate the rule of the land which other
road users are forced to obey.
 Introduction (cont)
• It is also interesting to note that most convoy
drivers are not trained as such, but are
converted to do the job.
• This makes them to run against the
operational procedure of convoy driving and
earn their public reproach.
• In order to prepare drivers for convoy driving
challenges, and enhance job performance, the
following questions are answered thus:
 Who is a convoy driver
• They are drivers attached to
-the special unit of an organization,
-important dignitaries
-items
. He hold a license E class and Trade test
certificate
 Number of vehicles
• A convoy involves at least two vehicles and
• Each of the drivers in the fleet is a convoy
driver
 Qualities of convoy drivers
• 1. Driving culture- High regard for and get well
educated in traffic codes on the road and he is a
professional driver
• 2. Habit- Not hot tempered, happy, not alcoholic.
Alcohol disorganizes judgment, vision and
balance and produce over confidence or foolish
boldness. A hot tempered man does not wait for
signals or reduces speed at dangerous bend, hot
tempered man is proud, uses abusive words and
claims right always
 Qualities of convoy drivers (cont)
• 3. He is well paid, well fed (not necessarily at the time
of driving) because hunger and over feeding cause
tiredness and drowsing. A comfortable man is in good
mood. The mood or mind makes the man.
• 4. He is skilful in expressing himself, can use radio
effectively.
• 5. He is also a security officer, hence can command and
control traffic. He is alert and schooled in the dangers
that the personalities conveyed is expected to. He is
loyal to the organization.
 Techniques of convoy driving
• 1 .All must fasten seat belt
• 2. All must move at same speed, maintain same steady
distance except the lead vehicle (or bike) which is at
liberty to vary distance
• 3. All headlights must be on
• 4. The lead vehicle or bike must use helmet, be in
reflective jacket.
• 5. Effective use all his authority devices, be alert to
detect danger to security
• 6. The following distance should increase by 6m apart
for every 15km/hr increase of speed.
Techniques of convoy driving (cont)
• 7. At junction, the convoy driver may move even when
the Red traffic signal is on (This is for security reason) if
convoy must do this, it is advisable to always put on
the headlight even during the day and follow the lead
vehicle safety. This should not be abused particularly
when the government official being protected is not in
the vehicle.
• 8. No unauthorized vehicle must drive like a convoy
driver or take their advantage.
• 9. All vehicles that are not in convoy must slow down
and give way to convoy vehicles
Techniques of convoy driving (cont)
• 10. At junction it is the led vehicle or bike that must
first move onto the road in order to control the traffic
and warn other road users of the need to give way to
convoy coming behind him. As such the lead vehicle is
free to vary its distance to the convoy. He controls the
traffic by bringing out his left hand and points it
downwards showing that all vehicles must stop. In case
he is leading the government functionaries to an
occasion, on approaching the tarmac he stops and
stretch his hand left or right telling all vehicles in the
convoy to give way except the vehicle occupied by the
government functionary.
Techniques of convoy driving (cont)
• 11. The use of authority devises like flasher, big
horn, communication equipment etc is very
important particularly at Junction.
• 12. Do not drive bumper to bumper. This is
because a sudden incidence to the lead vehicle
may cause collision.
• 13. Get at least a third party insurance paper. It is
sad that this class of drivers do not take any
insurance hence if they hit any road user even the
court cannot help the user to secure
compensation in time.
Techniques of convoy driving (cont)
• 14. A vehicle becomes uncontrollable at a speed above
100km/hr particularly if the vehicle in convoy
irregularly vary their speed. This excessive speed can
cause hydroplaning (thin air layer is formed between
the tyre and the road) hence the vehicle skid.
• 15. Convey vehicles occupants should not stick their
neck out off the vehicle, they should not harass or
scare other road users to danger.
• 16. All vehicle in the convoy must be in high
operational performance and maintenance personnel
must be in the convoy.
Techniques of convoy driving (cont)
• 17. It is dangerous for convoy to face opposing traffic (even
in congested traffic situation of Lagos) since vehicles are
bound to give way if it follows the normal lane.
• 18. The convoy are expected to move continuously on the
fast lane of the express without cutting in on the overtaken
vehicle or changing lane frequently (No lane hopping)
• 19. Ridding in convoy should be in a single file, keep within
the speed limit, keep two second rule, avoid the danger of
being overrun or running over the other road user, do not
get excited.
• 20. Being on convoy demands sober attention and
concentration.
 Category of convoy drivers
• Executive/Government
official/Political
appointees
• Military procession
• Funeral proce3ssion
• Ambulance
• Bank bullion van
 Executive protection
• The executive by nature of his status in the society is
exposed to a lot of hazard directly or indirectly: such as
-Assassination
-kidnapping for ransom
-embarrassment
-pursuit by paparazzi photographer
-Politically motivated violence
• As such, it is important to make adequate provision for
his safety through security awareness.
 Executive protection (cont)
• The cars are easy to identify and security minimal, as
such executives are at risk in vehicles while in Transit.
• 90% of travels is by vehicle and 65% of assassinations
are done while in transit hence may want to
-vandalize the car
-steal/rob the car
-intimidate the Executive or someone
-injure or kill the driver, passenger, relatives or
executives
-kill everyone in the vehicle i.e Sharia, Niger delta, OPC
 Incidences

• Lady Diana
• Gen Murtala Muhammed
• NADECO Chieftain Adesanya
• Kudirat Abiola
• Col Marwa
• etc
 What is Executive protection
• Executive avoid threats since it is impossible to
prevent the threats.
• The job is to defeat the adversary attacker with
-intelligence
-planning
-unpredictability
-avoidance
. Executive protection is about threat assessment,
predictive intelligence, transportation,
choreography, advance work
. It means improving your odds taking matters into
your own hands
 The information gathering for
Executive protection
• 1. Risk analysis : You ask-
-who, what, when, where and why?
• 2. Protective intelligence
-what is going on today, tomorrow, next
week?
-where to get help?
-What roads, hotels, vehicles to use?
-who lives in or represent threat to Executive?
 Tips
• Key to Executive protection is counter-
Surveillance
• A big car has advantage
• Car-tracking system helps to pin point location of
vehicle
• Armored cars are best
• Driver should keep car doors and windows locked
• Vary routes and Vary time
• Good car, driver, and environment selection
• Use decoy and disquiet
• Check vehicles for presence of unauthorized
personnel in or around vehicle
 Tips (cont)
• Keep your car in gear while stopped at an
intersection or if stopped. A quick get-away is
thus possible in case of a surprised attack
• Vehicles should be driven so that there is
always room to maneuver in case escape is
necessary.
• Do not give lift to strangers
• While driving observe vehicles who fail for 100
long or driving suspiciously as they may
intentionally block you or be surveillance
pattern of movements.
 Tips (cont)
• Check vehicles prior to departure for basic
mechanical soundness (gas in tank, fan belts,
tires in good condition)
• Develop familiarity with the route to be
travelled
• If someone attempt too force you to stop, do
not do so even if it means collision. Sound the
horn and drive toward light or wherever you
may find assistance
• Take evasive action if followed, drive in the
center lane if your follower persist, drive to
some occupied location, and phone for
assistance
• Learn location of Police/FRSC offices, Hospitals
etc
• If parked in an attended lot, leave only your
ignition key behind
 Driving techniques
• Learn more about
Evasive driving technique-High speed lane
changing resulting in ‘J’ Turn, quick
reverse etc
Defensive driving technique-obeying all
driving regulations and road signage
Offensive driving technique-often used as last
resort; using the vehicle as a weapon of
attack
 Note
• The number of vehicles in the convoy depend on
the availability of vehicles
• Command and control is very necessary, the
chain of command should be equal to rank and
experience on the jobs.
• Appointment into convoy driving should be based
on experience, loyalty etc
• Only the lead vehicle is allowed to vary its speed
and distance
• The numbering on the diagram shows the chain
of command among the drivers.
 Prayer
• You are requested to champion the cause for the wide
use of GPS on Nigerian road.
• European countries would soon ban all vehicles that
are not GPS compliant on their roads and such
outdated vehicles would be expected (Dumped) in
developing world to endanger our lives.
• Convoy drivers are also enjoined to always get
insurance for their vehicles.
• The FRSC should review the road traffic regulation to
accommodate convoy driving
• Comprehensive research is needed into accident
involving convoy drivers
THANK YOU