SHOCKING! Abuja Police Tell Burglary Victim, ‘Be Thankful’ You Didn’t Lose Your Car

Samad Uthman, journalist with a data-based media organization in Abuja, has become one of the latest victims of the daily daytime burglaries being witnessed in the Federal Capital Territory.

Uthman’s laptop said to be worth N1.1 million was stolen after thieves smashed the windows of his car, a 2005 Honda ‘End of Discussion’, parked near the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) office in Wuse Zone 7, Abuja.

The burglars carted away his laptop and other valuables during the incident that took place at about 1a.m on Friday.

Uthman, who shared photos of the incident with THE WHISTLER on Monday, lamented how the police allegedly trivialized the matter when he reported it to the Zone 3 police division.

“How will I report a theft case and the DCO will tell me sorry that they can’t do anything that his own car has been stolen twice?

“Like, really! He was even telling me to be thankful that I can still find my car and not motor accident,” he wrote.

The police asked the journalist to swear to an affidavit at any competent court while they commence investigation into the matter.

THE WHISTLER reports that Uthman is one among many victims of daytime robberies, amongst other crimes, in the federal capital.

Our correspondent observed the account of another victim, Odinaka Chukwu, who visited one of the police divisions in the FCT last week to report a similar incident.

Chukwu, a pharmacist in his late 30s, recounted how criminals burgled the trunk of his car on Friday and stole the medications he had purchased to stock his Pharmacy.

“I parked my car around the Jabi junction to use the ATM just for me to return and I noticed my car key could not open my boot. I actually went to buy things for my pharmacy store because I am a pharmacist and I put them in the boot.

“So, I had to open my car so I could use the one at the driver’s corner to open it. I didn’t find anything when I opened it. These people took everything I bought to stock my store,” he narrated.

The FCT police command’s spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, had during a recent chat with THE WHISTLER admitted that crime was on the rise in the city and advised residents not to leave the responsibility for their safety to the police alone.

“We can’t deny that criminals are out there, but we have put our foot on the ground and we trying to tackle the situation. But inasmuch as the police are doing their part, we also have to protect ourselves,” Adeh said.

The Force Police Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, had similarly advised Nigerians to be mindful of who and how they share sensitive information about themselves, especially during the yuletide season.

“You have to be mindful of the information you pass out to people around you and be discrete about your successes, financial transactions and the progress you are making in your career, business and your family,” Mba said.