Yuletide: Swindlers on the prowl in Calabar

As the fabulous Calabar Christmas Carnival approaches, there has been an increase in number of crimes in Calabar and other major towns in Cross River State.

One of such crimes is perpetrated by “magic men” who drive about in unregistered vehicles with their collaborators, pouncing on their unsuspecting preys.

ASP John Eluu, the police public relations officer in the state, confirmed that the command has been inundated with reports from victims whose moneys suddenly disappeared or turned into folded newspapers.

He said: “I have received such reports in the last few weeks from many victims, who boarded taxis, especially the unregistered commercial vehicles within the Calabar metropolis and who had their money stolen through what I can describe as spiritual or magical means.

“The challenge to the police is that since they cannot actually point to any particular persons, we are therefore unable to tract down culprits.

“We need journalists or victims to give us details to enable us sensitise the public to be on the alert.”

Meanwhile, Cross River State Commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Mr. Clement Adewuyi, warned the public of the existence of a ‘one chance’ syndicate in the state as Christmas festivities build up.

A victim, a 50-year-old Elder Godwin Atang, a staff of Iwansco Drinks Distribution Company on Mbukpa axis of Calabar South, fell victim to the syndicate.

Atang, who cried uncontrollably along the popular Murtala Mohammed highway in Calabar, said that he had just finished collecting sales proceeds, totaling N180,000, from their agents and he was going to Fidelity Bank on the popular Murtala Mohammed Way, Calabar, to deposit the money when the incident happened.

He said that he boarded a taxi from Calabar South but after he disembarked from the car, he checked the money only to discover that the money turned into a pile of papers inside the bag, adding: “My director asked me to come and deposit at the Fidelity Bank. The taxi man who dropped me played a dirty trick on me by pretending to open the door for me only to touch me with his magic which has resulted in the whole money becoming papers in my hand.

“I sat with the driver in front and there was no other person with us since I decided to take a drop to avoid delay on the road or somebody tampering with the money. I did not know that I entered a cab with a magical driver who would eventually rob me of the entire money.

“When we got to this place (opposite Fidelity Bank), he pretended to open the door for me so that his hand can touch me. He said there was a problem with the door and he alone understands how to open it. I allowed him not knowing that he just wanted to touch me so that the money on me will disappear. I have been hearing about this kind of thing but this is the first time I am experiencing it.”

When asked if he could identify the driver, Atang said: “I am not so sure I can identify him. While we were coming, he just kept looking at the side mirror and he was not really talking to me. I just wanted to come and deposit the money and return to the office. As soon as he dropped me, he just sped away and immediately he left, it dawned on me to check the money only to discover the papers.”

Atang, who cried like a baby, attracted a crowd of people who gathered to sympathise with him.

Some policemen, however, escorted him to his company to report the incident.

Another victim, James Effiom, said: “I boarded a red coloured car on Mary Slessor Road, Calabar near Bogobiri junction. There were three passengers behind the driver already and one in front. I thought of joining the three at the back with my handbag which contained my laptop, wallet containing N10,000, but they insisted I should join the man in front.

“As I was closing the door, he shouted that I have hit his hand. So the driver helped to hold my bag while we adjusted. The man kept complaining. While the car was on motion I, too, was not comfortable.

The driver stopped just few metres away near the Botanical Garden, and I offered to alight.

“But as soon as the car sped away, I felt light and I checked my bag.

Behold, the N10,000 had disappeared miraculously. I ransacked every. compartment in the bag. It was nowhere to be found.”

Other forms of minor crime were also said to be rampant at the Carnival Village situated inside the Botanical Garden at the former Calabar Zoo.