As Keke drivers go wild this yuletide

BY PRISCILLA CHRISTOPHER

The advancement of technology is indeed changing the way things are done especially in the communication and business world. Though not built for illicit and unwholesome reasons, technology has given birth to modern day ‘Smart’ activities such as pickpocketing, pilfering, and the likes.

Pickpocketing is one of the oldest and most widespread crimes in the world usually requiring considerable skill and a knack for misdirection.  It is a form of burglary that involves the stealing of money or other valuables from a victim without their noticing the theft at the time. It has continued to evolve around generations such that only new dimensions to the ‘old game’ can be termed ‘news’. Unsurprisingly, newer generations initiated into the business have not failed to improvise it to meet contemporary demands of the fast-growing economy. 

Perhaps, the newest trend of the ‘business’ is the addition of mystical powers to it such that a victim can remain unconscious throughout the duration of the ‘business’, and regain consciousness only after their money, cell phones or treasured information have been taken away from them. This act is what the Keke Drivers amongst us have taken to.

Just last week, a victim of this unwholesome act was hypnotized and cleared of N40, 000 on his way to buy some valuables at Mechanic Village. He only discovered the robbery when after purchasing the needed items; he proceeded to make payment from his now empty wallet. All he could recall was the 1,000 he gave the Tricyclist as payment for the fare. 

Similarly, a lady in her early 20s was driven unconsciously to an unknown destination by a duo; abused sexually and later dumped by the roadside where she regained consciousness and returned home. She was later discovered to have contacted HIV from the contact she had with the unknown men. 

Very recently, the norm has been the strange disappearance of monies and items which were not even seen physically. Victims have complained that they discovered their monies were missing even when it was kept in the safety of their purses or bags. 

Those who witnessed these incidents have attested to the fact that the Keke Drivers are fully into the ‘business’ with various charms to enable them discern who is financially armed amongst the passengers they carry and how to launch an attack on them. 

A skilled pickpocket can make off with just as much money as an armed robber without much danger of confrontation or risk of being identified along the line and by the time the victim realises what is happening, the pickpocket is long gone. The way these people rob without the victim getting to know about it is perplexing.

Unarguably, this is bad news for the rest of us as the possibility of identifying a ‘smart’ Keke Driver is almost impossible. Although some people have hinted that those of them who bump into people around bank premises, pretending to be offering transport services and those who mutter strange words in the pretence of being strangers are prime suspects; what matters most is how to avoid being victimised. Pickpockets and other thieves, especially those working in teams, usually apply distraction, such as asking a question, bumping into the victim. 

In a Keke for instance, a Pickpocket may begin with a discussion on an object of contemporary interest to gain the victim’s attention. The stage is then set as they become homogeneous in the discuss. The victim forgets him/herself and the ‘smart guy/girl’ prevails. Passengers are hereby notified to be vigilant and conscious of those seated around them and the safety of the money/valuables they possess while on board. 

It is also advised that those in the habit of pickpocketing should refrain from it as some items or money pickpocketed could earn them more trouble than they bargained for. Asides from being an unlawful act, pickpocketing is by all means, demeaning. It is not an act to be reckoned with or applauded. It is illegal and indecent. Why then should a person of repute opt for such dereputating act? 

A story is told of a heated argument that ensued between a pickpocket and a victim whose pockets he had just dug. The argument started soon after the pickpocket realised that the wallet he had just picked contained counterfeit currency notes. The petty criminal was disgusted that after carefully singling out and trailing his victim for so long, it had been a complete waste of effort and time. “You ought to be ashamed of yourself!” the pickpocket screamed. “Its people like you who are crippling and blogging down the economy.” 

The same or worse situations often befall pickpockets and one wonders if this is not enough to scare them off the act. However, the bone of contention is for the public to be aware of this ‘new’ activity the Keke Drivers have begun and get themselves secured against such occurrence. To be forewarned they say, is to be forearmed.