In Nigeria’s dynamic operating environment, road movements can carry elevated risk, especially for executives, project teams, and NGO field staff. Journey management turns ad-hoc trips into controlled operations with clear plans, communications, and contingencies. This guide explains what journey management is, who needs it, and how NetHawk implements safe, discreet movements across Kaduna, Abuja, Lagos, and beyond.

What is journey management?

Journey management is a structured approach to planning, approving, executing, and reviewing road trips. It reduces exposure to common risks, route disruptions, breakdowns, and opportunistic crime, and ensures people and assets move on time, without incident, and with full accountability.

Who needs it?

• Executives & VIPs: Board meetings, site visits, airport transfers.

• Project & engineering teams: Travel between sites, depots, and suppliers.

• NGOs & field staff: Regular missions to communities and clinics.

• Logistics/cash movements: Sensitive cargo, high-value equipment.

The risk landscape (high level)

• Routes & terrain: Diversions, roadworks, urban congestion, rural patches.

• Timing: Dusk/night travel, shift changes, known hot hours.

• People factors: Driver fatigue, unfamiliar routes, inconsistent convoy discipline.

• Vehicle readiness: Maintenance gaps, tires, lights, spare parts.

• Information gaps: Last-minute plans without route intelligence or comms.

NetHawk’s 7-Step Journey Management Plan

1. Pre-trip assessment

   • Purpose of travel, who/what is moving, start/finish times, special sensitivities.

   • Risk rating (Low/Medium/High) and approval level (Ops lead vs. senior management).

2. Route & timing

   • Primary route + at least one vetted alternate.

   • Critical waypoints: fuel, rest stops, secure rendezvous points.

   • Avoid predictable patterns; vary departure times and approach roads when warranted.

3. Vehicle & driver readiness

   • Vehicle inspection (fluids, brakes, tires, lights, AC), full tank + spare fuel if appropriate.

   • Qualified driver(s) with adequate rest; second driver for long legs.

   • Load securement for cargo; tamper seals where applicable.

4. Convoy composition (when required)

   • Lead + principal + tail concept; spacing, overtaking rules, stop protocols.

   • Discreet profile over “flashy” posture unless a visible deterrent is purposefully chosen.

5. Comms & tracking

   • Primary channel (radio/PTT or secure app), backup channel, and emergency trigger.

   • Live GPS tracking for control room; check-in cadence (e.g., every 15-20 min in urban, waypoint-based in rural).

   • Contact list: driver, TL/escort lead, operations officer, escalation chain.

6. Contingency & emergency response

   • What to do for breakdowns, route blocks, medical events, or security incidents.

   • Rally points, diversion logic, and “abort” criteria.

   • Medical plan: first-aid kit, nearest capable facility, ambulance contacts.

7. Post-journey review

   • Log travel times, deviations, stops, any near-misses.

   • Update route intelligence; refine playbook for next time.

   • Archive telematics/dashcam clips per policy.

Add-ons that improve safety & accountability

• UAV overwatch (site perimeter): Launch short aerial sweeps before departures/arrivals at compounds.

• Dashcams & bodycams: Evidence for disputes and training.

• Armoured or up-rated vehicles (case-by-case): Ballistic film, run-flat tires, fire suppression.

• Driver coaching: Defensive driving, convoy discipline, low-profile techniques.

• Discreet advance teams: Route recce, gate coordination, parking/egress control at venues.

• Information security: Limit who knows exact timings and routes; share on a need-to-know basis.

Executive travel checklist (copy/paste)

• Itinerary: Date/time, pickup, waypoints, destination, contact at destination

• Personnel: Principal(s), driver(s), escort lead, operations contact

• Vehicles: Plate numbers, fuel level, spare, tools, triangle, extinguisher, med kit

• Routes: Primary + alternate, restricted zones, planned stops

• Comms: Primary channel, backup channel, call signs, check-in cadence

• Contingencies: Breakdown plan, diversion plan, medical plan, abort criteria

• Docs: IDs, permits/passes as required

• Approvals: Risk rating, approver’s name, timestamp

• After-action: Time of arrival, deviations, incidents/near-misses, lessons learned

KPIs to prove the program works

• On-time arrival rate (target ≥95%)

• Incident/near-miss rate per 10,000 km

• Unplanned stops per journey

• Driver fatigue flags (hours behind wheel, break compliance)

• Comms compliance (missed check-ins)

• Vehicle readiness (pre-trip defects found vs. fixed)

Why organisations choose NetHawk

• Integrated security: Journey management + VIP escort + UAV support + site security.

• Local experience: Urban, intercity, and remote movements across Kaduna, Abuja, and Lagos.

• Professional discipline: SOPs, duty-of-care documentation, discreet posture, and measurable KPIs.

• Flexible coverage: One-off airport transfers, multi-city roadshows, or recurring site shuttles.

FAQs: Journey Management in Nigeria

Q1: Do we always need a convoy?
No. We choose the lowest-profile configuration that still meets the risk level. For many urban trips, a single well-prepared vehicle with robust comms is ideal.

Q2: Night travel - yes or no?
Only if necessary and risk-assessed. We prefer daylight windows, with night moves reserved for specific cases and tighter controls.

Q3: What apps or radios do you use?
We deploy secure PTT or radio as primary, with a backup channel, and GPS tracking tied into our ops room. Tools are selected per client policy.

Q4: How long does planning take?
Routine trips can be planned quickly once your baseline profile is set. Complex routes (multi-city or sensitive cargo) get additional recce and approvals.

Call to Action

Need a discreet, reliable movement this week? Book a Journey Risk Assessment with NetHawk. We’ll plan your route, set comms and contingencies, and deliver a clean, auditable trip.

• Kaduna Office: +234 (0) 906 7879 766

• Email: info@nethawksolutions.org

• Related services: VIP Escort · Site Security · UAV Overwatch