Humans will always move. Movement; of persons, good and services are all healthy signs of a growing economy. To move from a point to another, be it for work or leisure has in recent times become a risky activity for an average car-less commuter. With an insufficient public transportation system and unconnected routes to the said insufficient public means of transportation, commuters resort to other means to get around. In spite of regulated operators like NURTW, RTEAN, In-Drive, Bolt, Rida and Uber, factors like pricing and availability in certain locations necessitate the use of alternative means.
According to a survey conducted in 2023 by Statista, 42% of respondent own a personal car, while 5% are in possession of a car owned by their employer. Of the sample size, 26% do not own a car. This reveals the mobility options left to an average commuter in Nigeria. With a dwindling purchasing power and an absence of car mortgage plans, the data above become tenable.
Car/bus robbery or ‘’one-chance’’ as it is known has become rampant in recent years, especially as more private car owners put their cars to other economic uses in order to augment income. This, unfortunately gives ideas to criminals who see a window of opportunity to rob, kidnap and in extreme cases, kill and harvest and traffic organs of unsuspecting innocent commuters.
We gave it some thoughts and decided to proffer some solutions albeit simple but not an exhaustive list of suggestions.
Criminalize “One-Chance” and Other Related Crimes
Drawing inspiration from other efforts to specifically criminalize acts of financial infractions with a dedicated body of laws, it is not out of place to replicate this with these crimes. This, when successfully implemented, serves as a deterrence from this crime. In cases where such law exists, it should be reviewed, strengthened and given the needed awareness.
Use of Technology
Imagine a single, uniform short code across the network carriers that initiates a tracking session once pressed on any phone line. Now, imagine when two or more persons initiate this process at the same time and location. Imagine there is a stiff penalty like loss of SIM card and fine or short community service if this service is abused. Imagine it.
Mandatory Interior ‘Inner’ Lights
Criminal acts thrive in the dark. A regulation that stipulates all public cars and buses are well lit from 7pm to 7am could go a long way to elicit some sense of safety and security and for easy detection of unusual movement in transit. This regulation should be complemented with the corresponding penalty for errant car owners.
Police Spotting/Strategic Placement
Randomly and strategically placed policemen on plain clothes can be placed in public buses and cars along strategic routes across police divisions, especially on routes notorious for these crimes. As this tactic bears fruits, intending criminals are discouraged and tax-paying commuters go about their business.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
