Rivers Police Warn: Collecting Transport Fare Without Visiting is a Punishable Offence

The Rivers State Police Command has warned against the act of collecting transport money from a man without honoring the intended visit, describing it as a punishable offence under the law. The Command, through its Public Relations Officer, said the practice amounts to obtaining money under false pretenses, a crime that carries legal consequences. In a video that has gone viral, the police spokesperson asked, “Why would you collect transport fare from a man without going to see him? It is an offence.”

The statement has sparked widespread debate across social media platforms. Many commentators supported the police, insisting that the trend of collecting transport money without visiting has become a form of deceit that exploits unsuspecting men. Others, however, criticized the police for what they considered a distraction from the more urgent task of tackling insecurity in the state, including kidnapping, cult violence, and armed robbery.

Legal experts explain that under Nigeria’s Criminal Code, obtaining money through deception is an offence, and offenders may face fines or jail terms depending on the circumstances. The police reiterated that their advisory was not trivial, stressing that small acts of dishonesty, if unchecked, could escalate into criminal habits. They urged young people to act with integrity in their relationships and warned that repeated exploitation of others under false pretenses would not go unpunished.

The Rivers State Police Command emphasized that ignorance of the law is not an excuse and advised residents to be mindful of their actions. The warning reflects a growing effort by law enforcement to highlight how seemingly personal or social behaviors may amount to offences under the law.