Rapists, Robbers On The Prowl In Abuja





 Car theft, ritual murders and all sorts of criminality is fast becoming widespread in all the nooks and crannies of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Although ritual murders and other petty crimes are rampant in the suburbs, a new twist has been added to it recently.  Criminals masquerading as green cab drivers have been unleashing terror on FCT residents. Some commuters robbed by these fake taxi drivers have various disheartening stories to tell. The strategy employed by these dubious taxi drivers varies and they operate mostly at night. Tellingly, 90 percent of those who have been swindled are women. According to some victims who  pleaded anonymity, these nefarious activities take place at night in isolated places, where it is almost impossible for the victims to call for help. Most of their victims are workers returning from work at night and those who have to commute within Abuja metropolis at night. Linda Akporo narrated her experience to LEADERSHIP WEEKEND: “I took a painted cab early this month. The cab man pulled off the road around Kubwa express way pretending that something went wrong with the car and another person suddenly jumped out of the booth and hit me hard as they dispossess me of my phone, ipad, and over a N100, 0000 in my bag.” Another victim who spoke under the condition of anonymity said:  “I was coming back from a club and was a little tipsy when it happened in my case. To be sincere I was wearing a skimpy club clothing. I boarded a cab and slept off; as soon as the cab driver noticed I was asleep he decided to take advantage of me. He diverted to a bush path that is unknown to me and raped me.  I only woke up when I started feeling someone struggling with me but he overpowered me and raped me.” A corps member, Anita Bewul robbed by a green taxi cab also narrated her experience: “I boarded one of the green taxi around 8pm on Thursday night to Lugbe and as soon as we approached a deserted road, the driver suddenly turned the volume of the music very high and before I knew it, someone came from the back seat and put a knife around my neck threatening to waste my life if I make any noise. I was robbed of all my valuables, my wrist watch, phones and gold trinkets among others. They took off and pushed me out of the vehicle.” Ronke a pharmacist boarded a cab to Asokoro from Wuse 2. She said: “Suddenly the cab driver diverted to another road. When I asked him why he took a different route, I noticed that he was uneasy and increased his speed. Then a guy came out of the booth and started struggling with me and overpowered me. I was barely able to jump out of the moving vehicle, leaving behind all my belongings.” Leadership