By Olatunbosun Obafemi
The Delta State Police Command has raised alarm over a disturbing tactic increasingly deployed by criminals to dispossess unsuspecting Nigerians of their valuables.
According to the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, gangs now pose as innocent individuals seeking directions in order to lure their victims into traps.
What appears at first to be a harmless request for help has, in many cases, ended with victims losing phones, jewellery, and cash. The strategy is simple but effective: a man or woman approaches with a convincing story, sometimes armed with a fake address or a slip of paper, pretending to be lost. While the unsuspecting passerby attempts to assist, accomplices either move in to pick pockets or lure the victim to a quieter location where they are robbed.
“Many victims have fallen prey simply because they stopped to render help. These criminals exploit people’s kindness,” Edafe warned in his message.
Security experts echo the warning, advising the public to avoid following strangers to unfamiliar locations and to maintain safe distance when approached. Directions, they suggest, should be given verbally and briefly.
As criminals refine their strategies, police say awareness remains the strongest defence. By heeding warnings and spreading the message, Nigerians can help reduce the number of people falling victim to such deceptive tactics.
