IN the past few weeks, a handful of unsuspecting drivers who are into the e-hailing business of driving for Bolt or Uber have been viciously attacked by numerous criminals and had their cars stolen from them. A few are lucky to escape with bruised butts and broken bones while others are not, dying from fatal wounds sustained from their attackers' blows.
Just this week, a driver of the e-hailing company, Bolt, Oscar Emeremnini was stabbed to death by unknown assailants suspected to be carjackers. They attacked Oscar with deep knife slashes and made away with his car. His dead body was then dumped under the Iyana-Ipaja bridge.
Similarly, a 27-year-old Uber driver was killed by some young men posing as clients. Morenikeji Oluwaniyi was lured to Meiran in Lagos and strangled to death before his body was dumped on the Abule Egba bridge.
There are more cases of carjackers attacking drivers and claiming cars as a prize for their violence across the state. It is the season of giving, it's also the season of carjacking. Drivers must be very careful as they use Lagos roads henceforth. As one keeps an eye out for bad road users, one must also keep an eye out for these knaves who are ready to kill for another person's car.
Even though carjacking can take place at any time of the day, a majority of carjacking cases occur during the late-night hours. Carjackers are looking for an opportunity to isolate a potential victim especially at places like ATMs, closed petrol stations, and car washes.
If you are cornered by carjackers, there is one thing you must remember: Your car is replaceable, but you’re not. Carjacking is a crime of violence that can be particularly scary and fatal. Knowing how to respond in a situation may mean the difference between death and walking away unscathed. If these people have you isolated and without help, don't struggle. Threats with guns and knives are not empty threats, these criminals are prepared to kill for your car.
However, it is best if you are not cornered by criminals. When you drive in the evening, at dawn, or at night, park in a busy area. Don’t park behind a building or truck, park where you can be seen. There is one thing criminals don’t like, they don’t like to be seen. So if you are in an area where there are a lot of other people and you will be seen, so will the criminals.
Christmas is coming and these criminal elements are looking forward to selling stolen cars in the new year. E-hailing companies and the state security agencies must do more to fight this carjacking crime but, pending the time the threat is neutralised, protect yourself and be vigilant.
Seasons Greetings.
