The Police say it has uncovered new strategy used by criminals to rob bank customers.
Spokesperson of the Ebonyi Police Command, Mrs Loveth Odah disclosed this recently at a press briefing in Abakaliki.
According to her, the new strategy involves trailing their victims through a female member of their syndicate who is usually monitoring financial transactions around banks’ premises.
Odah said that such members of the syndicate usually hang outside the banks with cellophane bag containing nails that were usually planted either at the front or rear of the victims’ vehicles.
“As soon as the target comes out from the bank, enters the vehicle, he climbs the unsuspecting bag of nails that automatically punctures the tyres.
“The same people will follow you on a bike and will be showing you that your tyre is deflecting and as an unsuspecting citizen; you will stop the car, alight reluctantly to check your tyre without closing your door.
“They will reach out into the car, collect the money in your car without any stress and without shooting a gun, take it and speed off.
“The new strategy has been used to rob some bank customers by the criminals and we have arrested some of them including a woman who confessed their involvement in the crime.
“Also car owners should always ensure that they use the car central lock while driving and whenever they alight from the car,” Odah said.
The spokesperson said that the command was fully prepared to protect the lives and property of every citizen before, during and after the Yuletide.
“The Christmas period is a season we usually experience heavy human and vehicular traffic with attendant social ills. Bad elements in our midst will want to exploit the season to break the law by committing all sorts of crimes.
“We urge the public to cooperate with the police and when they see something, they should say something and a quick response by the police in crime situation will help put smiles on the victim or victims’ faces” she added
The spokesperson also advised parents not to leave their children in isolated places to avoid being preyed upon by suspected ritual killers and child traffickers.