BE WARY OF THIS EMERGING TREND BY ROBBERS

The phenomenon of motorcycle taxis has become popular around the world recently.  Although in other countries it looks organized and secure, in others they are the biggest cause of accidents and crime.  Motorcycles are swift, reliable in times of emergencies. They slither their way through the traffic jam with ease and this is what makes them the best option for robbers.

 Apart from road safety being the biggest concern about boda bodas, there is an emerging trend of robbers using motorcycles for robbery and this trend seems to be common across the region.  Therefore you should be wary of this emerging trend by robbers.

Kenya

The Kenyan Police through the police boss Benson Kibue; have raised alarm over emerging trend of robbers using Motorcycles (Boda Bodas) to commit crimes in the Nairobi.  They prefer them because they don’t have to wait for traffic jams to for them to escape and that makes it hard for police cars to chase after these criminals who in most cases escape arrest.   

Nairobi

They mostly use stolen motorcycles where they (the robbers) ride in pairs to masquerade as a boda boda operator with a customer and the passenger is usually the armed one.  Nairobians should be careful with motorcycle riders especially at night and also be cautious around the most dangerous areas in Nairobi. 

It was also reported that insiders in commercial outfits leak information on cash transfers to the gangsters. 

Other Towns

In other towns like thika, (mostly along Garissa Road) it has emerged that these criminals snatch handbags from women as they wait to cross the road to go to their houses.  This happens mostly in the evenings towards night fall; a boda boda appears and since you will assume that it is the usual two wheeled taxi, you won’t bother much only to realize that your hand bag has been snatched and they disappear through the vehicles. 

At remote areas

In recent findings (January 2015) it was discovered that Boda Boda operators are a source of insecurity in remote reaches of the country. They deliver their passengers to places where they can be robbed easily and ride away; said CID Boss Ndegwa Muhoro (Director of Criminal Investigations)

At times criminals pretend to be riders only to rob passengers of their belongings and cash midway through their journey. This is causing crime in Kenya to take a different trend.

Tips

Ø  People are warned not to be victims of rogue operators

Ø  Motorists are warned not to stop if a motorcycle speeds ahead of you.

Ø  While waiting to cross the road, make sure you hold your bags firmly

Ø  If from the bank or ATM outlets don’t put all your money in one place, also if you realize someone is following you, branch into any of the stalls/supermarket/shop and observe.

South Sudan

In May 2014, South Sudan banned foreigners (who were mostly Ugandans) from owning or riding motorbikes.  The boda boda taxi system was blamed for increase in accidents and crime. 

Uganda

In Uganda, Boda boda is the most unsafe means of transport in Kampala as criminals hide in the boda boda industry and commit violent crimes in the society. 

How it happens

The criminals pose as passengers and when the motorcycle reaches a dark corner, the riders are hit with either a harmer or iron bars, cracking their skulls; these criminals then take off with the motorbike and the day’s earnings. 

Tanzania

Organized motorcycle criminal gangs operating in Dar es Salam and else where around the country are behind the surge of  high profile crime, including murder and armed robbers that have in the recent months become a source of terror to the masses.  Boda Boda operators have shot dead victims in cold blood, snatched handbags from unsuspecting women and even carried out acid attacks using the same means.

The foreigners especially Burundians are reportedly running a criminal enterprise linked to many incidents of attacks on suspects riding the motor bikes not necessarily used for the daily passenger shuttling. 

These criminals have infiltrated the market and recruited accomplices especially security guards at institutions such as banks, bureau de change outlets, ATM centers to stake out for anyone moving substantial amount of money.  Others target bank customers. 

Boda Bodas are increasing in number each day and are now becoming a nuisance to some people.  The county government of Nairobi has banned boda bodas from working within the central business district after complaints that they were adding to the already congested streets.  The question is; are they still operating from the CBD (Central Business District)?