The Dangers of Commuting

Amongst the myriad of security threats plaguing the nation, kidnapping, gang wars, banditry, and terrorism characterise various regions of the country. While major focus and discussions often surround the aforementioned security concerns, a subtle but persistent menace within the biggest towns, namely Abuja and Lagos, remains the kidnapping and robbery syndicates targeting daily commuters known as “one chance”. It refers to the operations of con artists, ritualists, and criminals who trick unsuspecting commuters into boarding their vehicles and subsequently hurt them while on the road.

As commuters scramble to and from their daily activities, kidnappers posing as commercial drivers take advantage of unsuspecting passengers by robbing them of their belongings or kidnapping them for ransom. Their actions have increasingly become a threat to users of public vehicles. Occurrences of this style of robbery and kidnappings through “one chance” have been most prominent in Abuja and Lagos but also occur a little less in other states. While most of these incidences have led to the loss of belongings, certain incidences have culminated in death or severe injuries, as in the case recorded in Apapa Lagos.

With the frequency of this occurrence, there have been arrests by the police from various state commands. In Lagos, the state police command has made arrests, including the arrest of gang members notorious for operating along Funsho Williams Avenue in the state. In 2018, police operatives from the special anti-robbery squad in Abuja arrested a five-man gang. More recently, Operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) arrested three suspected one-chance gang members operating along Oshodi–Gbagada Expressway, Lagos. There have also been jungle justice meted out on perpetrators of the ‘one chance’ menace in the past. Despite these arrests, ‘one chance’ robbery persists and threatens Nigerians.

Certain pointers can be directly linked to the increasing rise in commuting robbery, and the first is inadequate transportation policies. Despite the existing transport systems, there is a lack of monitoring and a lackadaisical attitude towards the operation of taxi systems by anyone, and this has provided room for robbery gangs to thrive on unsuspecting commuters. Also, the increasing unemployment in the country has pushed people, especially the youth, to resort to this form of robbery to make ends meet. However, economic challenges are not an excuse for criminality.

In addressing the dangers of commuting, there needs to be a greater focus on the subtle yet growing threat of commuting robbery and kidnappings. One approach could be the reorganisation and closer monitoring of the city transport system with registered drivers who have undergone background checks and a uniform vehicle system for easy identification. Furthermore, the government needs to gear up its efforts at creating gainful employment opportunities for the teeming populace. As a deterrent, severe punishment for perpetrators of this crime could reduce the menace which has come to haunt major cities in the country.