John Diidi
We’re just going to say it; certain popular bus stops in Port Harcourt need to be completely avoided at night. While Port Harcourt has so many nice places, there are those you shouldn’t be seen at, unless you want to lose your hard-earned money, phone or jewelry.
SLAUGHTER MARKET
Known for its notoriety of having Slump makeshift homes around the market which houses lots of society’s wrong people (Drug addicts, Prostitutes), the slaughter market area has become famous for bad stories at night. The stories are of bag snatching, phone robberies which most times have been accompanied by stabbing if the victim tries to struggle with the bandits, with the writer’s cousin being a victim of this. And hence, residents or visitors in Port Harcourt should avoid the area at night.
RUMUOKORO JUNCTION
Playing host to different Bus terminals and notable for its array of louts loading vehicles, the Rumuokoro junction has become notorious for pickpockets, petty thieves, and bag snatching at night. And as such, one should be vigilant when around the Rumuokoro junction.
MILE ONE PARK
The Mile one Park area in Port Harcourt has been plagued by issues of pickpocketing, bag snatching and molestation of residents, with the louts responsible for these actions nicknamed the ‘sagana boys’.
This act of criminality is committed during the early evenings and late at the night, with unsuspecting residents being victims while walking through this area.
Hence, it’s advisable that people apply extreme caution if they try passing through this area, as taking a taxi or driving through with the windows properly rolled up seems to be the best option to evade the unfortunate actions of the dreaded ‘sagana boys’.
DE-YOUNG/ALCON ROAD
The newly constructed De-young/Alcon road by the Governor Wike’s administration now leaves a bittersweet taste in the mouth of Rivers residents.
The road which now makes it easier to connect Peter Odili Road from Akpajo has also become a den of criminality.
Cases of kidnapping and car snatching have been recorded on the road at night, according to reports, who blamed the loneliness of the road and base of the flyover where criminals have turned to their abode, from which they carry out their attacks.
It’s therefore imperative that residents or new entrants into Port Harcourt, apply extreme safety precaution, or completely avoid the route at night.
OILMILL BUS STOP/ELEME JUNCTION
The famous oil mill market and the Eleme Junction are hotbeds for insecurity in Rivers State.
The oil mill market in the evenings and night is an abode for criminals who have successfully turned the oil mill bus stop and Eleme Junction to an albatross of all forms of evil.
These two locations need to be urgently avoided by residents and visitors, so as to avoid being molested, stabbed, bags and valuables snatched and females being raped.
Finally, It’s also important that security agencies step up surveillance and provide measures to safeguard residents and visitors in the state at these locations to ensure lives and properties are protected.