Usually carried out in commercial vehicles, where criminals pose as passengers only to turn against other passengers in transit, “ One Chance” has remained a major security challenge in the country, as unsuspecting passengers end up being robbed them of their possessions; money, and other valuable items.
The term ‘One Chance’ derived from the Pidgin English expression of bus conductors or touts enticing passengers in a hurry to take the last available space in a taxi or bus, has now been adapted to mean being in a fix or a difficult situation.
Like we all know, the endless activities of ‘One Chance’ criminals in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja have consistently grabbed headlines in various media outlets.
These syndicates operate with cunning tactics, often disguising themselves as legitimate taxi drivers before carrying out their criminal activities. Despite harrowing accounts from survivors, individuals continue to fall prey to this disturbing trend daily.
It is, however, imperative not to underestimate their method of operation. “One Chance” thieves are invariably armed with weapons, ranging from daggers, some of which may be laced with poisonous substances, to hammers, guns, and even hypnotising sprays.
The more sophisticated among them even carry point-of-sale (POS) machines for quick monetary transactions during their criminal activities.
In a heart-wrenching incident, the tragic death of a human resources consultant, and member of the Yali network in Abuja, Greatness Olorunfemi, at Maitama General Hospital has once again brought to the forefront the menace of one-chance syndicates operating in the nation’s capital.
Ms. Olorunfemi tragically lost her life after being left untreated at the hospital due to the absence of a police report, following a harrowing encounter with a one-chance criminal driver.
Her ordeal began on the fateful day when she became a victim of the notorious one-chance syndicate. One-chance crimes involve criminals posing as taxi drivers who rob, assault, and sometimes murder their unsuspecting passengers. In Olorunfemi’s case, the situation took a deadly turn when she was stabbed by the criminal driver and subsequently pushed out of a moving vehicle.
In a display of humanity, compassionate bystanders rushed Olorunfemi to Maitama General Hospital, hoping to get her the urgent medical attention she desperately needed. However, what transpired next left the nation in shock and disbelief.
The hospital’s doors were firmly shut in the faces of the good Samaritans and the injured Greatness, who was in dire need of immediate medical care.
The hospital’s refusal to admit Greatness without a police report has drawn widespread condemnation and outrage from the public. Many are questioning the hospital’s ethics and commitment to providing medical assistance in emergencies, particularly in cases involving victims of crime.
An eyewitness, identified as West Robinson, recounted the distressing episode in a trending video, with the victim lying helpless on the floor.
Robinson revealed that he and several bystanders rushed the injured woman to the hospital in a desperate attempt to save her life. However, their hopes were dashed when medical staff allegedly refused to admit her.
“Unfortunately, the nurses that were on duty when this woman was brought in, and the medical doctors there refused that this girl should be taken inside,” Robinson lamented in the video.
He said the situation took a devastating turn as, within a mere 20 minutes, the young woman succumbed to her injuries while still awaiting treatment. Robinson described the chaotic scene that unfolded as they frantically sought assistance.
In a bid to address the dire situation, he said they reached out to emergency services. However, their plea for help was met with further delays, as they were informed that police officers would be dispatched to the scene.
Subsequently, he said police officers arrived at the hospital in a Hilux van, accompanied by another victim who had suffered a stab wound to the head after boarding a cab to Kubwa.
Shockingly, the same hospital allegedly refused to admit the second victim as well.
As investigations into the incident continue, LEADERSHIP Sunday reports that the memory of Olorunfemi serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address the issue of one-chance syndicates and to ensure that every citizen can access timely and lifesaving medical care in times of crisis.
However, unlike Olorunfemi, a furniture designer in One Man Village in FCT suburb, unwittingly found himself in a life-threatening situation last weekend. His day began with a 6:00 am appointment with a client in Life Camp, setting the stage for a day that would take an unexpected turn.
As he embarked on his journey, Musa boarded a cab at Banex Junction, expecting a routine commute. Little did he know that this ride would turn into a harrowing experience. During transit, his fellow passengers revealed sinister intentions as they brandished a dagger, knife, and gun, coercing him into cooperation.
One passenger, a member of the notorious ‘One Chance’ gang terrorising the nation’s capital, removed Musa’s ATM card from his wallet. In a chilling twist, he proceeded to withdraw a staggering N1,000,000 from Musa’s account after coercing him to reveal the correct PIN.
Musa’s ordeal didn’t end there. After the heart-wrenching incident, he said he was abandoned in a desolate part of Area 1, left to grapple with the traumatic experience. The perpetrators, displaying an odd sense of charity, gave him a mere N500 for transportation.
He explained that the consequences of this horrifying encounter has continued to haunt him, explaining that his client, unaware of the unfortunate circumstances, has been incessantly pressuring him, even threatening legal action for the delay in delivering the promised furniture.
Also, an official of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Francis Patrick, has expressed growing concerns over the alarming surge in one-chance incidents within the city. Patrick, a representative from the Kubwa Garage, spoke in an interview with LEADERSHIP Sunday
Patrick described the recent developments as deeply troubling, citing a particularly distressing incident that occurred just last week.
He recounted the story of a passenger who fell victim to these criminal activities, stating, “Last week, a passenger was lured and became a victim of their tactics. He informed us that they forcibly took away his N450,000 and subsequently abandoned him near Kubwa Phase 4.”
Highlighting the gravity of the situation, he called upon the Federal Capital Territory Administration to address it urgently. He emphasised that the issue transcends individual circumstances, saying, “Government should look into it critically because it might be anybody; it could be me, you, someone close to me, or a total stranger. We cannot afford to disregard it, as the popular proverb reminds us that ‘when you throw a stone in the market, you don’t know who it will hit.’ It is a collective responsibility for everyone, and even the presidency should also take note.”
Patrick also expressed his frustration, noting that these incidents have been occurring for several years, yet little action has been taken to curb them. He urged the government to prioritise job creation for youth and foster an enabling environment for business growth.
More so, a newspaper vendor in Nyanya, Onoja Isah, corroborated these concerns, highlighting the rising cases of kidnappings in the area.
He said that such incidents have become increasingly common, sharing a personal account, “It happened to a close friend of mine. Every day, she took a car from the park to her workplace, on the day of the sad incident they took her on a citywide ordeal from 7:30 am until 5:00 pm and confiscated all her belongings, including her ATM card, and left her injured.”
The alarming frequency of these one-chance incidents has left residents of Abuja on edge, calling for immediate and comprehensive actions from authorities to address the issue and ensure the safety of citizens and commuters.
FCT Police Command urges the public to be security conscious, use authorise motor park
As part of efforts to enhance public safety and security, the police public relations officer of the Federal Capital Territory Police Command, DSP, Adeh Josephine, said all hands are on deck to halt the development.
The PRO called on the public to promptly report cases of harassment or theft to the police.
Adeh emphasised the importance of citizens reporting such incidents to law enforcement agencies, stating that the police rely on this information to strengthen security measures and ensure that residents can carry out their daily activities without fear of harassment or theft.
Addressing the ongoing situation, Adeh reassured the public, stating, “We are actively addressing this issue, and as we speak, we have made several arrests.”
She further advised FCT residents to prioritise their safety by utilising authorized motor car parks when boardins cabs or taxis.
“This precautionary measure aims to reduce the risk of falling victim to criminal activities often associated with unauthorized transportation services,” she said.
Adeh, said the Federal Capital Territory Police Command remains committed to safeguarding the well-being of the public and maintaining law and order in the city.
Adeh, however, encouraged citizens to cooperate with the police in their efforts to create a safe and secure environment for all.
