Over the years, the beautiful city of Calabar is considered one of the safest places in Africa. Renowned for its wild, harmless, cosy night life, Calabar is a safe haven for fun seekers. Not anymore.

Recently, there have been frequent incidents of crime involving tricycles and cabs in the city. The master minds target ATM users, shop owners, and newly paid factory workers. Their modus operandi is to isolate their targets, ambush same in a cab or tricycle and dispose them of their valuables. The entire operation takes few minutes.

Ema Obong (not real name) is a shop owner on the ever busy Mariam road. After close of work, she went to the ATM to pick up money to settle some bills at home. Unknown to her, those shadowy creatures were on her trail. They soon flanked her on either side at the back of the cab. No need to ask if the driver was a member of the gang!

They dispossessed her of all valuables- money, phones and all. But that was just the beginning of her ordeal! As the cab zoomed off, they pushed her down unto the road. There was heavy downpour, so she was literarily swept away unto the boulders on the road. She had deep cuts all over her body. Thanks to a good Samaritan who got her to the hospital and paid her bills.

Almost a year after the horrible incident, one could touch her pain as she recounted her tale.

Abiodun is a young engineering trainee. He used an ATM at stadium road to settle fare for a trip with Cross Country. Supposing he had larger sum on him, some urchins trailed him to Etagbor junction, forcefully ejected him from a tricycle and dispossessed him of the paltry sum left on him. After the operation, the perpetrators and tricycle vanished.

There is need for more vigilance on the part of law abiding citizens, especially in public places. When you can, please move in groups. Except you have good security cover, avoid late night outing. Avoid situations where you can be rammed into the middle of a cab. Sit as a single passenger in front of the cab and be prepared. When and if you can afford it, take a drop.

The law enforcement agencies need to do more in policing black spots, identifying and apprehending these shadowy gangs.

It is our collective duty to make Calabar safe again.

Source: http://www.hoch-zeitgericht.com/2016/05/11/one-chance-in-calabar/