It may not be news that the most popular road in Owerri the state capital of Imo state in Nigeria has been known for all sorts of heinous crimes being committed on it. It may not also be news that these nefarious activities were part of the reasons the Executive Governor of the state Owelle Anayo Rochas Okorocha relocated the ancestral market which was hosted by Douglas Road and some other adjoining streets. Perhaps what may be news is that eversince the removal of the Eke-Ukwu market from that location, Douglas road, School road and its environs have become indescribable with the manner with which crimes occur there. It can only be described as a legitimized criminal territory.
A trespass near or along these Douglas road and its surrounding neighborhood once it is 6 p.m any day is simply an obvious invitation to have yourself robbed, maimed or killed in the process. These hoodlums now parade with absolute indolence and confidence, launching at anyone without fear of possible nearby police presence. Of course, why would they not...when our dear police would always patrol ceremoniously with sirens blaring thereby giving away there presence or approach.
Serving as the commercial nerve centre of the Owerri capital city and the state in general, Douglas road in Owerri records the highest human traffic hence a veritable target for these men of the underworld. Fortunately or unfortunately, these cultists and armed robbers do not restrict their loot to victims' mobile phones, cash and jewelries. They have efficiently extended their interest to people's bank accounts either through their victim's ATM cards or mobile money applications and codes made easily available by Nigerian banks.
For instance, as soon as these robbers snatch your phone, the first thing they look out for is to identify your bank. This may be done through SMSs from your bank or other stored account information in your cell phone. Secondly, every network provider has an easy code you dial for them to provide your Bank Verification Number (BVN) just for a charged token. MTN for instance charges 20 NGN when you dial the code *5__*_#. With your BVN at their grasp, they simply deploy your bank's mobile transaction codes, supplying your BVN when requested and all your money in your account is there's.
These whole step is easy and straightforward. Most regretably virtually over 98% of mobile phone users would have their main phone numbers registered to their bank accounts which they carry about. With this, everyone is insecure right to your bank account and these criminals in Owerri town know this. I have even fallen victim of this monsters.
So many people fall victims of these criminal cultists daily but according to research, they are afraid to report such crimes to the police. The reason may not be far-fetched. Have you ever been asked to sponsor an investigation or been asked to pay some money to aid the police in the investigation after reporting a crime to the police? The general notion is that you spend more seeking justice from the police than the actual amount you lose to criminals.
I am only asking the Imo state command of the Nigeria Police to rise up to the challenge. Douglas road for now remaions the bain of Imo people and until these boys are tranquilized, I advise innocent passers-by in Owerri to remain security conscious and avoid plying Douglas road, School road, and all other streets within the axis of the former Eke-Ukwu market in Owerri vMunicipal of Imo state, Nigeriaq.
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