Good morning all,

It might seem that the headline of this thread is misleading but please, pay attention as I only aim to inform everyone of the new way of theft/pickpockets.

Here goes my little epistle:

On Monday, the 11th of January 2021, I stepped out of my house at around 8am enroute the island to retrieve some stock at the office. My mode of transport to the island was the Lagos BRT and this was after waiting for an hour for the bus to arrive. So, I decided to join with the standing crew in the BRT since the seats were full. After an hour and thirty minutes, the journey came to an end so I proceeded to the office from TBS using BOLT.

Shortly after I finished from the office, I decided to use BOLT again to go back to TBS as I wanted to take a BRT to Oshodi. My reason for going to Oshodi was because I had an appointment at Lasu road, Ojo. During my short journey to TBS in the BOLT ride, I realized that there wasn't any cash for the BRT if I got there eventually. So I told the driver that I would drop at First Bank which is just beside Toasties - for some of us who know Awolowo road, Ikoyi very well.

The driver ended the trip and left, after I rated him 5 star of course then I advanced to the ATM machines where there were no queues. I was happy at this sight as this would save time. I came out of the ATM point and walked a few meters forward. At this point, I didn't want to waste another 700 naira for a bolt ride when I had cash - BIG MISTAKE. I had approximately 2,000 naira on me, my nokia 105, my NOKIA 2.2 android, ATM Cards and with my backpack which housed my laptop, working device and 6 mifi devices costing 19,500 a piece.

I boarded this bus usually called KOROPE in Lagos, and it was painted in white. Before entry, my android was in my right pocket and there was 'a passenger, the driver and the conductor' which were 95% together on this despicable act before it happened. I entered, sat by the window because the passenger had given me some room to do so. The conductor asked for money (the bus was in motion at this point) which was 100naira and I had four 500 naira notes with me so dipped my hand in my backpack which was on my lap to get out the note. When I handed the money to the conductor, he said there was no change.

He wasn't rude or anything as most conductors would be - which was most likely another gimmick, he just said he will drop me at the next bus stop.

Unknown to me, the guy beside me had already slipped my NOKIA 2.2 out of my right pocket as I was distracted. When i got off, the bus sped off so menacingly like they were being pursued. I nearly thought it was 'Need for speed hot pursuit' or something when i watched the mini bus rev away. Then it clicked! Eureka! i started searching myself, then I dawned on me that my phone was taken.

Still in the state of shock, which should be added to the 36 we already have, I realized that my Mtn & Ntel sim (Check my profile for threads on data plans ) which was in the phone had my accounts (GT & Access) connected to it.

I ran like a mad fellow who could see his mental solution at a distance, to the nearest branches of my banks. When I entered and told them of the emergency, they quickly swung into action and blocked my accounts.

I felt sad this had to happen to me but I was happy for the following:

1. They took the second least expensive thing - which of course had lots of contacts that I might not easily retrieve because most were not saved or on synced with Gmail.

2. All the things I was carrying was worth about 350,000 so, if I had kept my phone in my backpack, I stood the risk of being robbed of all my valuables as I was he only neutral person in the bus.


Tips To Avoid This Sort Of Fracas From Happening To You.

1. Never enter a bus like I did with only three people (driver, conductor & a passenger) in it.

2. When you board a bus, move all your gadgets to your bag or backpack, then put it on your lap and wrap both hands around it.

3. If you have a backpack or bag and your phone is still in your pocket, please let be on your lap and place both hands on both pockets. This way, anyone who attempts to slip their hands in your pocket, you will surely know.

4. Get a personal car if you can. Its safer, health-wise. if you know, you know.

I hope no one gets to experience this.

Thanks.

Modified - I hope this gets to FP for awareness

The rate crime is on the increase in this qantry eh I go soon japa.

story

story!...Welcome to Lagos. Shine your eyes!!.

I cant ever forget the day they pickpocket my phone at oshodi. all i just realized was the music stopped playing in my ears, i looked down and i saw the tip of my earpiece there dangling. A big lump developed in my throat straight, the lacasera i was drinking suddenly became bitter.

Abduletudaye:
Good morning all,

It might seem that the headline of this thread is misleading but please, pay attention as I only aim to inform everyone of the new way of theft/pickpockets.

Here goes my little epistle:

On Monday, the 11th of January 2021, I stepped out of my house at around 8am enroute the island to retrieve some stock at the office. My mode of transport to the island was the Lagos BRT and this was after waiting for an hour for the bus to arrive. So, I decided to join with the standing crew in the BRT since the seats were full. After an hour and thirty minutes, the journey came to an end so I proceeded to the office from TBS using BOLT.

Shortly after I finished from the office, I decided to use BOLT again to go back to TBS as I wanted to take a BRT to Oshodi. My reason for going to Oshodi was because I had an appointment at Lasu road, Ojo. During my short journey to TBS in the BOLT ride, I realized that there wasn't any cash for the BRT if I got there eventually. So I told the driver that I would drop at First Bank which is just beside Toasties - for some of us who know Awolowo road, Ikoyi very well.

The driver ended the trip and left, after I rated him 5 star of course then I advanced to the ATM machines where there were no queues. I was happy at this sight as this would save time. I came out of the ATM point and walked a few meters forward. At this point, I didn't want to waste another 700 naira for a bolt ride when I had cash - BIG MISTAKE. I had approximately 2,000 naira on me, my nokia 105, my NOKIA 2.2 android, ATM Cards and with my backpack which housed my laptop, working device and 6 mifi devices costing 19,500 a piece.

I boarded this bus usually called KOROPE in Lagos, and it was painted in white. Before entry, my android was in my right pocket and there was 'a passenger, the driver and the conductor' which were 95% together on this despicable act before it happened. I entered, sat by the window because the passenger had given me some room to do so. The conductor asked for money (the bus was in motion at this point) which was 100naira and I had four 500 naira notes with me so dipped my hand in my backpack which was on my lap to get out the note. When I handed the money to the conductor, he said there was no change.

He wasn't rude or anything as most conductors would be - which was most likely another gimmick, he just said he will drop me at the next bus stop.

Unknown to me, the guy beside me had already slipped my NOKIA 2.2 out of my right pocket as I was distracted. When i got off, the bus sped off so menacingly like they were being pursued. I nearly thought it was 'Need for speed hot pursuit' or something when i watched the mini bus rev away. Then it clicked! Eureka! i started searching myself, then I dawned on me that my phone was taken.

Still in the state of shock, which should be added to the 36 we already have, I realized that my Mtn & Ntel sim (Check my profile for threads on data plans ) which was in the phone had my accounts (GT & Access) connected to it.

I ran like a mad fellow who could see his mental solution at a distance, to the nearest branches of my banks. When I entered and told them of the emergency, they quickly swung into action and blocked my accounts.

I felt sad this had to happen to me but I was happy for the following:

1. They took the second least expensive thing - which of course had lots of contacts that I might not easily retrieve because most were not saved or on synced with Gmail.

2. All the things I was carrying was worth about 350,000 so, if I had kept my phone in my backpack, I stood the risk of being robbed of all my valuables as I was he only neutral person in the bus.


Tips To Avoid This Sort Of Fracas From Happening To You.

1. Never enter a bus like I did with only three people (driver, conductor & a passenger) in it.

2. When you board a bus, move all your gadgets to your bag or backpack, then put it on your lap and wrap both hands around it.

3. If you have a backpack or bag and your phone is still in your pocket, please let be on your lap and place both hands on both pockets. This way, anyone who attempts to slip their hands in your pocket, you will surely know.

4. Get a personal car if you can. Its safer, health-wise. if you know, you know.

I hope no one gets to experience this.

Thanks.

Modified - I hope this gets to FP for awareness

This same trick happened to two close friends i know, we all need to be at alert as the crime rate now has tripled..

ngozionefeli:
This same trick happened to two close friends i know, we all need to be at alert as the crime rate now has tripled..

NG, you are right... now i am phoneless