By Phil Okose, Onitsha
The incessant robbing of residents and road users, especially travellers, by fierce-looking armed robbers along the ever-busy Onitsha/Owerri road in Onitsha and Oba, near Onitsha, Anambra State, is now a source of worry to them.
According to investigation, the heavy traffic gridlock being experienced on the road that has remained unabated, is the major cause of the attack on the victims.
A victim of the robbery attack, who simply identified himself as Johnson, said that, “We are in serious problem in this State, armed robbers just do to us what they like along this Onitsha/Owerri road without anybody challenging them.
“Just yesterday, at about 6pm, because I do my business in Onitsha on daily basis, I must pass through this road to my residence in Oba. You must fall prey to these men of the underworld, because of the constant traffic hold up.
“So they slapped and hit me with a club. They asked me to ‘weta ya’, (surrender all in my possession) without provocation. I did try to save my life and managed to get away. Those who saw how I was being manhandled were even running for their safety.
“It was because of the hold up that I came down from the commercial bus I boarded from Upper Iweka, Onitsha. Once you are within this dangerous portion, from first gate of Mgbuka market, if you are coming from Upper Iweka to the new Fly-over in Oba, you will be running to avoid the robbers.”
Also, a private car owner, who pleaded anonymity, said that, “Because I refused to stop for the armed robbers as the road was a bit freer, they used clubs and stones to smash my windscreens.
“It didn’t end there, on getting to Mgbidi, another place for traffic gridlock, I diverted to another village route, where youths collect N100 before they will allow you to pass. When they asked for my N100, I told them that I gave them money when I passed in the morning, and the next thing I heard was sounds in my car. They used their machetes and sticks and hit on the car, thereby giving it serious mark. I had no option than to continue my journey.”
Another victim, who described himself as Ikonso, said that, “These armed robbers easily break windscreens of vehicles that refused to comply. You can be at the traffic hold up for five hours from Onitsha to Mgbidi.
“The traffic grid-lock is much that the robbers capitalized on it to rob passengers. It is done every time and nothing happens to them. Nobody challenges them. Once you take this Onitsha/Owerri road, you must face two things: go-slow and robbery. But if you are lucky, you thank your God.
“On getting to Mgbidi, where there is another hold -up, you may like to divert to another route, be ready to dash the youths who will block the road with used tyres, tree trunks, blocks, among others N100 or have your car smashed by them and you will not do anything to them;
“Another place of traffic grid-lock is before Uli Girls Secondary School and Abbort Girls Secondary School. Sometimes robbers also look for who to rob.”