Over 100 ‘one-chance’ robbery cases recorded in Abuja since 2015, HURIWA demands action

Since 2015, more than 100 reported cases of ‘one-chance’ robberies have reportedly been recorded in Abuja, with hundreds of residents suffering various injuries and several fatalities reported from these incidents.

In Nigeria, ‘one-chance’ refers to a type of organised crime in which criminals pose as passengers or drivers in public or private vehicles to rob, molest, or kidnap unsuspecting passengers. Once the car is in motion, the criminals reveal their intentions, often resulting in severe harm to their victims.

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) expressed concern over the rising incidence of ‘one-chance’ crimes in Abuja, alleging that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) authorities have not yet implemented an effective solution to curb the trend. In response, HURIWA endorsed the recent decision by the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, to begin profiling vehicles in Abuja starting in January 2025.

HURIWA, however, cautioned that the profiling exercise must not become a vehicle for exploitation or extortion of drivers. The association recommended that the FCT Administration establish a digitalised office to oversee the initiative, staffed by personnel from the FCT branches of the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigerian Civil Defence Corps, and Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS).

Additionally, HURIWA proposed the creation of a data bank for commercial drivers to be managed by the FCT’s transportation and legal secretariat. This resource would be accessible to Abuja residents seeking judicial recourse in cases involving commercial vehicle operators.

HURIWA further suggested that taxi and bus drivers entering Abuja from across Nigeria should be profiled as part of the effort to provide thorough protection for residents.