Crime: C'River Police Command Declares War On 'One Chance' Syndicates, Heightens Public Transport Surveillance
By Ndifreke BASSEY
The Cross River Police Command has declared war on one chance Syndicate in Calabar Metropolis.
In the last couple of months, the city has witnessed an increase in one chance operators, who have been terrorising unsuspecting passengers using public vehicles.
The state Commissioner of Police, Gyogon Grimah, who frowned at the increasing rate of the menace, in statement signed by the command spokesperson, SP Irene Ugbo, said some measures have been put in place to checkmate the nefarious activities of these miscreants.
Some of the measures include increased patrols on public transport, increased surveillance, and harsher penalties for those caught.
According to Grimah, the aim is to make it more difficult for these groups to operate, and to deter others from joining them.
The statement read in part: "One chance” syndicate operates by luring unsuspecting victims into vehicles under false pretenses, only to rob them of their belongings or even subject them to violence.
"This criminal activity has not only caused fear among residents but has also tarnished the state’s reputation.
"As a result, we have deployed additional resources and intensified surveillance effort across the state especially this Easter Season.
"In the same vein, special operations targeting known hotspots and routes frequented by the syndicate are underway," he stated.
The Commissioner urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to authorities promptly, emphasising the Command's commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all residents and to dismantle this criminal network and bring those responsible to justice.
The CP also called for collaboration and support from the public, urging residents to cooperate with the law enforcement agencies and provide valuable information that could lead to the apprehension of the perpetrators.
