For commuters in Rivers State, the fear of falling victim to “one-chance” robbery is increasingly turning ordinary journeys into calculated security decisions, with a security expert calling for a more structured and traceable public transportation system to curb the menace.

Security expert and retired military officer, Victor Umoren, said tackling one-chance robbery requires more than the arrest of suspected operators, stressing the need for stronger preventive measures that would make commercial vehicles, drivers and passenger movement easier to trace.

Umoren said government should ensure that passenger movement is channelled through recognised motor parks, while transport unions should properly document commercial vehicles and their operators.

According to him, such a system would provide security agencies with vital information to trace vehicles and drivers whenever criminal incidents occur.

He also advised commuters to take greater responsibility for their personal safety by remaining conscious of their surroundings when using public transportation.

The security expert urged passengers to exercise caution when boarding unfamiliar vehicles and pay attention to circumstances that appear unusual or suspicious.

His concerns come amid growing anxiety among residents over alleged incidents of one-chance robbery in parts of Port Harcourt and other areas of Rivers State.

For many commuters, the concern is no longer limited to traffic congestion or the rising cost of transportation.

There is also growing uncertainty over the identity of the driver, the legitimacy of the vehicle and the people already inside it.

For Kelechi, an accountant and resident, what began as an ordinary taxi journey from St. John Junction ended with the loss of her phone after she boarded a vehicle.

She described the experience as frightening, alleging that the occupants used calculated tactics to dispossess her of her belongings.

Other residents, including Prince Wiro and Solomon Efelobari, said the fear surrounding public transportation was becoming a source of concern for regular commuters.

They called for stronger security measures that would enable passengers to distinguish legitimate commercial vehicles from those allegedly being used for criminal activities.

But Umoren argued that prevention should form a major part of the response.

He said transport unions must take responsibility for ensuring that commercial drivers operating under their platforms are properly registered and identifiable, while government agencies should strengthen monitoring of the sector.

The security expert maintained that creating a traceable transportation system would not only assist investigations after incidents but could also serve as a deterrent to criminals seeking to exploit gaps in the public transport system.

For commuters who depend on taxis, tricycles and buses daily, public transportation remains an essential part of their lives.

But the growing fear of one-chance robbery means that what should be a routine journey is increasingly becoming a security calculation.

The challenge, therefore, goes beyond arresting suspected one-chance operators. It requires a transportation system where vehicles and drivers are identifiable, operators are accountable and commuters are better equipped to recognise and avoid potential threats.