Worried by the spiraling insecurity in the land, including recent heart-rending brutality meted to passengers by criminals in parts of the country, the Nigeria Police High Command, on Tuesday, in Abuja, issued a security advisory to the public on transportation.
It also restated its statutory mandate to protect lives and property in the country.
The advisory comes hot on the heels of the recent bestial sexual attack and subsequent murder of a Lagos fashion designer, 22-year-old Bamise Ayanwola, in a Lagos Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) vehicle.
The acting Force Public Relations Officer, Mr Olumuyiwa Adejobi, a Chief Superintendent of Police, CSP, announced the advisory via a video clip posted on the Force’s official Facebook page.
Here is the summary of the security tips for both commuters and transport workers alike:
1. Don’t patronise branded, unapproved commercial vehicles.
2. Take note of the number plates of the vehicle you’re boarding and share same with friends or relatives, in case things go wrong on the way.
3. Be wary of hitching a ride with strangers. Free rides, aka “lift” can be dangerous.
4. Don’t be in haste to board vehicles, take time to assess the state of the vehicle and passengers aboard, especially at nocturnal hours.
5. Board a transport from registered/approved motor parks/garages.
6. Board a transport and alight at designated bus stops.
7. Correlate the number plate of Uber transport booked online to the one that comes to pick you: cancel the order immediately you notice a discrepancy.
Safety is a precaution you can’t afford to gamble in life.
