By; Benedict Sunday, Kaduna.
The Nigeria Security & Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kaduna State Command has raised alarm over criminals who now steal parked vehicles by unsuspecting owners using towing vans.
Reacting to the ugly trend, State Commandant of the Corps, Alhaji Modu Bunu said the situation is assuming a worrisome dimension, adding that members of the public must be wary of the miscreants who are on the prowl.
Bunu warned car owners in the state and members of the public to adopt possible proactive measures to control this criminal act, assuring that the Corps in collaboration with other agencies will spare no measure until the ugly trend is curtailed.
Recently, the command received information about a car which would have been stolen along Kaduna – Abuja Express by an unsuspecting owner but was averted due to the intervention of another person.
According to the lucky car owner whose vehicle was recovered, he was compelled to park when he ran short of fuel on his way from Abuja. But before he left, he claimed to have asked a private security operative whose duty post was near to help him guard the car.
Surprisingly, he explained that after few hours after, he got a call from the man who sold the car to him that some unknown people were towing it close to Panteka, a mechanic site located by the Nnamdi Azikiwe Express Way, Kaduna.
The first owner of the car continued that when he approached them to ascertain who gave them the car, the two suspects replied that they were towing it for the owner. However, as soon as the first owner started calling the owner on phone, they took to their heels but one was arrested.
On interrogation, the suspect confessed that they towed the car from where it was parked along Kaduna – Abuja Express Way to go and sale it as scrap to dealers at Panteka who would butcher it and sale in parts.
The lucky car owner, who is overwhelmed by joy of recovering his vehicle, said he has learnt a great lesson from that incident, urging other people to be mindful of the emerging criminal act.
