Fear, As Armed Robbers Unleash Terror On POS Operators
By Bright Eluagu, Owerri
Owerri, the capital of Imo State, is facing another spate of insecurity following reported robbery incidents by yet-to-be identified persons.
The worst hit so far are operators of the nascent ” point of service” (POS), who face major robbery attacks by the criminals.
Recall that for close to three months now, unmasked bandits have been raiding POS kiosks in Imo State by dispossessing the operators of their sums of money and teller printing machines.
Competent sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity decried the situation and called on Governor Hope Uzodimma to do everything within his powers to secure the state.
Meanwhile there is no part of the state that is left out as criminal elements use commercial vehicles to rob people at some designated places in Owerri.
A fortnight ago, a four man armed gang raided a POS operator in Orogwe, Owerri West LGA of the state.
An eye witness,(nameswitheld), disclosed that on that faithful day, they were in a Bet9JA store beside a POS shop, when a black tinted Carina car pulled by.
He said the man in front of the car asked the transacting lady if she had up to one hundred and fifty thousand naira to disburse, the answer was in the affirmative.
Just as the lady was about collecting the man’s ATM card and bringing out cash to pay, the said man made a sign and two men came from the back and aimed their riffles on the lady.
The driver while waiting on the steering was wielding two riffles with his two hands very set for action, just as the other one who had gone for the POS lady succeeded in snatching the bag of money and transacting machine and they fled to an unknown destination.
Also, last week, a similar incident happened after Orji Flyover, along Okigwe road, Owerri, where three POS operators were successfully robbed without any form of resistance by the security operatives.
Efforts to get the response of Imo PPRO proved abortive as at the time of filling this report.
– The Nation
