The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is fast transmuting into a haven for hoodlums who dispossess innocent and unsuspecting citizens of their belongings. Victims are lured into unmarked vehicles under false pretences, only to be subjected to harrowing experiences. JIDE BABALOLA reports
In the bustling metropolis of Abuja, a sinister trend looms large, one that haunted its residents for years. It is known as one-chance robberies.
These terrifying incidents leave victims traumatised and families in anguish, while many of the perpetrators continue to evade justice.
The more the police make arrests, the more the number of increasingly audacious urban predators euphemistically called ‘one chance’ robbers seems to be around Abuja.
On Tuesday, September 26, 2003, an incident occurred. The incident during which the faceless criminals fatally stabbed Miss Greatness Olorunfemi, a member of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) Network and threw her out of a moving vehicle along the Maitama – Kubwa Highway is only the latest reported case; many more of such crimes are being perpetrated without any form of publicity.
Indeed, a few days ago, a lady who closed from work around 5:00 p.m. discovered that the cab she boarded was that of ‘one chance’ robbers who forced her to lie down in an uncomfortable position on the car floor. The two fellows in the rear with her turned out to have a gun and knives and she obeyed their command not to raise any alarm while the vehicle drove from Sultan Abubakar Way to Berger Roundabout and then, returned to the spot where they earlier picked her up following the mysterious observation by one of them that their victim does not ‘qualify’ as the kind of ‘meat’ needed for their purpose.
On Tuesday, September 12, 2023, Constance, a hardworking female reporter was virtually kidnapped in one of such ‘one chance’ vehicles, held down by her tormentors who drove around for upwards of four hours during which they forced her to empty her bank accounts, solicit for urgent financial assistance from contacts on her telephone and immediately transfer such sums to their banking apps.
Without a doubt, the faceless metropolitan scavengers who operate with unhindered anonymity among the hundreds of unpainted commercial kabukabu or drop vehicles that daily crisscross the federal capital city’s landscape have been sowing veritable seeds of fear and anxiety.
It is very difficult for millions of people without personal cars to avoid boarding such vehicles once in a while. Even, car owners occasionally find the need to board such vehicles, especially in consideration of the fact about the scarcity of parking space at several destinations around the city.
From November 15, 2007, to March 30, 2011, when he was the Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory, Haruna John (now of blessed memory) passionately waged a determined war against criminals, giving priority to the one-chance syndicates.
In a chat with The Nation at that time, he lamented that for the Federal Capital Territory, it seemed as if the more the police cleared a few away, the more several other gangs appeared to take their place and prolong the perpetual threat.
One Chance robberies are not a new phenomenon in Abuja; they have persisted for years. Victims are often lured into unmarked vehicles under false pretences, only to be subjected to harrowing experiences. Such encounters frequently end in robbery, physical assault and, sometimes even murder. These crimes cast a dark shadow over the city’s reputation and sowed fear among its residents.
A traumatic encounter with these criminals leaves victims with serious psychological scars.
Ada, a young professional who was a victim of a one- chance operation recalls the horror of being abducted and robbed at knifepoint, an experience that still haunts her.
“I’m not the same person I was. The fear is always there, lurking in the back of my mind,” she says. This kind of trauma is not unique to Ada; countless others have similar stories of shattered security.
Abuja’s law enforcement agencies have been tirelessly pursuing these criminals, but they admit it’s a taxing battle.
Inspector Mohammed, an officer with years of experience said: “These criminals are highly organised and constantly changing their tactics. They blend in with regular traffic, making it difficult to apprehend them.” The police’s efforts are hindered by limited resources and the sheer scope of the problem.
One of the most notorious spots for such crimes and other random criminal attacks used to be the area around the National Mosques where the bushes are foreboding enough for any daring policeman.
However, with a mobile police patrol team now stationed in the area, such incidents have become rare.
A few days ago, September 21 specifically, the Federal Inland Revenue’s Security Department, in a statement titled “More Identified Red Flag Spots at Night Hours in Abuja, Part 2” noted that “the growing concerns about the daring manner/antics by thieves disguising as taxi operators (one chance) in some metropolitan cities, especially in Abuja.” He listed the red flag spots and routes where several people had reported terrible encounters.
Among these routes which lead to and from Abuja’s satellite towns are Area 1–Berger, Area 1 to Area 10, Area 1-Lugbe, Apo Mechanic Village axis, Abuja – Kubwa Expressway and the City Gate area that leads to Lugbe, Kuje and Airport Road.
Within Abuja city, the more notorious areas are Areas 1 (Under the Bridge and across), Area 2 Shopping Plaza, areas behind the VIO Office and Zone 2 in Wuse.
One of the top tips being offered for personal security is for commuters to board only the painted registered taxis or hail online taxi cab services as all these tend to be registered and easily traceable.
It is also essential to consider boarding commercial vehicles at popular and designated taxi parks instead of hurriedly boarding any vehicle that comes along.
Also worth considering is the need to avoid late evening or very early morning trips as criminals tend to take advantage of such odd hours.
For car owners, the FIRS Security Department advises that they should “always wind-up windshields and pin-down all doors of your vehicle while driving and never be distracted by any sudden bang of tap on the vehicle. Ensure a calm approach to address all situations; if the need arises to alight from your car, ensure you lock the vehicle doors while outside.”
No doubt, in view of Abuja’s special significance, recommendations for a safer Abuja ought to be considered and reviewed from time to time by the police and other security and law enforcement agencies towards tackling the ‘one chance’ menace more effectively.
For one, there is a great need for enhanced surveillance; installing more surveillance cameras at strategic points can aid in identifying and tracking these criminal groups.
Secondly, community involvement can help reduce such incidents; encouraging residents to be vigilant and report suspicious activities can help deter one-chance robberies.
In Abuja, the time is long overdue for stiffer penalties, especially as police sometimes speak of arrested criminals getting off lightly in court only to resume their nefarious activities in no time. Advocating for stricter penalties for one-chance criminals may help deter potential offenders.
Specialised training for police units is also needed to help combat this specific threat effectively. This may be further complemented by public awareness campaigns to educate residents about the risks and preventive measures.
One-chance robberies continue to inflict emotional scars on Abuja’s residents, leaving them in a perpetual state of fear. It is a problem that requires collaborative efforts, from law enforcement to the community, to create a safer environment for everyone. By addressing the issue head-on, Abuja can rebuild its reputation as a city where its residents can move about without the haunting spectre of one-chance robberies.
