Residents, Police Alarmed by Increasing Rate of Crime in Jos

Seriki Adinoyi in Jos

Residents of Jos, Plateau State capital, have raised the alarm over high rate of crime, especially car theft in the state, and called on security operatives to step up measures towards nipping the crime in the bud.

Several persons, including a journalist with Nigerian Pilot newspaper, Mr. Golok Nanmwa, became victims of cars theft during the yuletide season. Narrating his ordeal, Nanmwa said: “I parked my car on December 24, 2016, at a popular recreation spot around Jos International Breweries (JIB) village in Jos and went into the spot. I came out after about one hour and found that the car had been stolen.”

Another victim, who gave his name as Yinka, said his car was also stolen during the Christmas period in the state.
The victims appealed to security operatives to step up efforts at arresting the criminals.

The state Police Command had earlier expressed serious concerns over the increasing rate of car theft and other crimes within Jos and its environs. The state Police spokesman, Mr. Terna Tyopev, had said most of the thefts happen at event centres, drinking joints as well as marriage and funeral ceremonies.

He advised car owners to adopt security measures to secure their vehicles, and suggested pedal or steering locks too.

“Car owners should also install modern tracking devices to help in the tracking of their vehicles. Organisers of events should also inform the police in order to obtain security coverage or advice,” he advised.

Tyopev also called for extra vigilance, especially in rural areas, cautioning residents against boarding vehicles outside designated motor parks.