The Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps says it has increased patrols and surveillance, using undercover operations to check the rising incidents of commercial vehicle robbery, commonly called “one chance” within the Enugu metropolis.
The Public Relations Officer of NSCDC, Enugu State Command, Mr Emmanuel Nwatu, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday, while reacting to the complaint of increased “one chance” robbery in Enugu.
“One-chance” is the name, in Nigeria, given to a form of robbery that takes place in both public and private vehicles when people enter the rides not knowing that the riders or occupants are robbers.
Nwatu, a Superintendent of Corps, noted that the NSCDC had increased patrols and surveillance, particularly in the affected areas of GRA, New Market, and 9th Mile axis of the Enugu metropolis during the early morning hours.
“We are also collaborating with other security agencies and engaging the community to provide actionable intelligence to ensure the safety of our residents,” he said.
The Command’s spokesman said that the NSCDC had also taken additionally measures to check “one chance” robbery and other public place vices.
“We have started public awareness campaigns, thus, educating the public on how to identify and avoid ‘one chance’ operators and other vices.
We are also doing undercover operations.
“The Command is deploying plainclothes officers to blend in and catch perpetrators in the act red-handed,” he said.
Nwatu also urged more installation of functional solar-powered streetlights and Closed-Circuit Television Cameras to properly monitor and deter mischief makers at all parts of Enugu metropolis.
“We urge the Enugu State Government to aggressively pursue the installation of CCTV Cameras in high-risk areas to help identify these criminal elements,” he added.