Wave of ‘One-Chance’ Crimes Plagues Nigeria’s Capital, Leaving Residents Fearful

In the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) of Nigeria, a rising wave of ‘one-chance’ crimes has sent shockwaves through the community, leaving residents living in fear for their safety. ‘One-chance’ is a term commonly used in Nigeria to describe fraudulent activities, often involving a group of criminals who target unsuspecting passengers waiting for taxis or buses, with the intention of robbing or defrauding them.

One tragic victim of these ruthless criminals was Greatness Olorunfemi, a young woman with dreams of pursuing a PhD in Microbiology in the United States. Her aspirations were cruelly cut short when she became one of the casualties of ‘one-chance’ criminals.

Another concerned resident, Mr. West Robinson, recently raised alarm about the surge in these criminal activities in the city, particularly involving criminals using cars as disguises to rob innocent victims under the guise of taxis.

The rise in insecurity is not confined to the city center alone, as it has spread to the outskirts, characterized by frequent and indiscriminate robbery and abduction of motorists and commuters. This alarming trend has worsened with the proliferation of private and unregistered vehicles being used as taxis due to the increase in fuel prices following the removal of fuel subsidies.

Mr. Robinson identified hotspots of criminal activities in a viral video, including Area 1, Area 3, and Apo axis. Criminals were observed using Nigerian number plates on the front of their vehicles and foreign number plates at the rear to evade suspicion.

In response to growing concerns, Mr. Garba Haruna, the FCT Commissioner of Police, issued a statement assuring residents of ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies to combat these criminals. However, reports suggest that such vehicles continue to operate freely in various parts of the city.

Tragically, the ‘one-chance’ crimes have led to fatal consequences, as seen in the case of Greatness Olorunfemi, who was fatally stabbed and pushed out of a moving vehicle along Kubwa Express Way. The Maitama General Hospital’s alleged refusal to provide medical treatment without a police report further exacerbated the tragedy. In response to public outrage, the Inspector General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, has ordered a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death.

Sahara Reporters also spoke to victims who shared harrowing accounts of their experiences. One victim revealed that she was robbed of N500,000, describing how criminals posed as taxi passengers and used threats and a POS machine to withdraw her savings.

These ‘one-chance’ criminals have not spared even media professionals. Remi Jonshon, a Radio Nigeria employee, was beaten and robbed by these criminals after leaving work.

In addition to ‘one-chance’ incidents, the FCT has also witnessed a surge in kidnappings, with victims forced to pay substantial ransoms. The rise in criminal activities has been attributed to factors such as unemployment and the influx of people to the nation’s capital.

Some residents have also blamed the worsening security situation on the recent clampdown on commercial motorcyclists, known as Okada riders, leading to violent clashes between them and security forces.

As the FCT grapples with these security challenges, residents are calling for more decisive action from law enforcement agencies and greater efforts to address the underlying issues contributing to the rise in criminal activities.