Victims of fraudsters popularly called ONE CHANCE have appealed to the state government and security agencies to put up surveillance to track down criminals who disguise as commercial drivers to dispossess the public of their valuables.
Some of the victims who spoke to theportcitynews reporter Tina Amanda said the rate of the fraudulent act is alarming, stressing that if nothing is urgently done, the lives of Rivers state citizens will continue to be endangered.
They appealed to the government to install street lights on roads in order to reduce some heinous crimes perpetrated at night.
They thanked the state government for ordering all commercial vehicle operators to paint their vehicles to state colour, saying that the government should not relent but apply strong measures that will ensure that commercial motorist comply.
On his part, Chairman National Union of road transport workers rives state, Comrade Ominiayebagha Kalango, advised the public to desist from entering vehicles along the roadside, stressing that passengers should always board vehicles at the motor parks.
“People should board their vehicles in the motor parks and real loading bays where our drivers who are members of national union road transport workers have their ID cards of identification, carrying the people along, it will reduce these crimes to the barest minimum”
Meanwhile, the Public Relations Officer Rivers state police command, DSP Nnamdi Omoni appealed to the public to increase their security consciousness and be high alert
whenever they board a vehicle.
‘’Members of the public should be careful, they should exercise extra vigilance to avoid falling prey to these criminals and their antics. They should try as much as possible to avoid late night movement especially when they are alone.
‘’When on board in a taxi, do not allow the driver pick passengers in a lonely place. Try to be vigilant and observant of what the driver is doing. If the driver is making calls, eavesdrop to know what he is saying. If the driver is acting funny, ask him to stop you or you raise alarm. Take mental pictures of what is inside the vehicle, register the vehicle number in your memory and the colour of the vehicle‘’
Omoni said the command is putting up measures that will lead to the arrest of criminals who unleash mayhem on citizens.
“Report has come to us and we are working on what we have on ground to see how we can counter them. We have deployed plain cloth policemen on the roads, we are liaising with relevant stakeholders including the NURTW, we are working in synergy with them to see how we can get these people arrested. All hands are on deck. We are working on some clues and I do know that very soon, arrests will be made, we will counter them and get them fished out”
