₦airaland Forum

OP..thanks for this

amicable09:
Having debit cards is not bad, but carrying debit cards around is dangerous. It's in fact, a crime to carry many cards with zero balance around. At this point I think I should say this, when it comes to saving money in your bank account, it's better you have a designated account and subscribe to almost nothing. Not Mobile App. Not internet banking. Not USSD. Not even a cheque book. Just nothing.

Immediately after I contacted my family members, a bike rider who took the other lady to the nearest police station came to take me there as well. I politely asked that I be taken to the closest branch of my bank where my salary account is domiciled. The bike rider without hesitating obliged my request. I quickly explained my plight to the security and demanded to meet with a staff. One of them rushed to the branch manager who dialed contact center. After the call, using her phone she sent a mail with all my details. Then we rushed in, she signed in and placed a lien on the funds in my account. Not a kobo had left. I was grateful.

My other bank was a trekkable distance away, I trekked there. Explained to the security guard manning the entrance door, it was still past 7 and he explained that the banking hall wasn't open. I told him I needed my card blocked, he pointed me to the ATM. 'Mr.! Stop acting like a princupality! I know about self service and that I can hotlist my card through an ATM but I can't remember my card details.' Just then, a staff of the bank came in and asked what the issue was, I went straight to the point and made my simple request, he showed me the ATM, I told him I couldn't remember those details especially the last 4 digits of my card. Then he said l'll need to fill a form. At the sound of a form, I took offense. Is the Nigerian bank now like our Federal hospitals and Health centers where they watch a dying patient give up the ghost in the corridor because they need to 'fill form and pay some ridiculous amount' before treatment will commence. I made it clear that if withdrawals are done on my account from the time I got to the branch and my account gets cleared, they'll pay down to the last kobo. I made it clear also that customer's instruction superseded any other instruction or form I needed to fill. Everything can be regularised later. First things first.

When the staff saw my understanding of banking, he asked for my account name, I provided that. He asked for the name of the branch where the account was opened, I provided that. Then he asked for my mobile number tied to the account. I did. All these answers were to help him get my account number from the system cos I couldn't correctly remember my account number and I wasn't ready to gamble with it. He went in with that information and came out shortly smiling. Your card has been blocked and the last transaction on your account was an inflow from Chinasa on the 3rd of February. 'Thanks', I said smiling back.

I called a relation working in a bank next through the help of a family member who had come to my rescue and was now driving me around. I got my card blocked as well. From there I went to my last bank that was actively for savings. There I met no resistance. The customer service agent cooperated well and after asking all security questions made sure to block the card. She wrote down my balance in the account and put the paper in my hand. 'Sorry', she said.
"Thank you", I responded.

Next was to block my SIM card. That was equally successful. I did that over the phone. By the time I was done, I couldn't believe it. That I was alive and well. No tooth lost. I could still see. I wasn't bleeding. I had all my monies intact. I was not in shambles so to say.

Made my way to the office that day, as I recounted my ordeal, it dawned on me that this pattern has been going on for a while. These guys are on the roads of Lagos unleashing havoc and making the city unsafe. It is to this end I've decided to share my experience and hope someone learns from this. We cannot be too careful but as much as we can, ensure you take adequate measures to protect yourself.

Eko o ni baje oooooo

Quite interesting with the way you write.
Good writing skills
Sorry about the whole event.

Sorry babe. I think it’s better to board these type of buses at the park or do they operate at parks too. A rail system will help in moving safely from the mainland to cms.

geekybabe:
They took 2 cards . My acces card but it was just 300 naira in it. D other was foreign card. Can't dispense in Nigeria. So it was useless to them. Once we were dropped off I called d banks and blocked both cards. They were not able to withdraw.

are you in SA?

amicable09:
Ended with me alive!

I couldn't wish for any better ending than this.

Am so glad you are alive Op, wah area of Surulere did you board the vehicle from ?

also experienced same from lawanson road (Otun bus-stop). From there to Victoria Island.

I appreciate God for your life and I know He still got plans for you.

congratulations once again

amicable09:
Having debit cards is not bad, but carrying debit cards around is dangerous. It's in fact, a crime to carry many cards with zero balance around. At this point I think I should say this, when it comes to saving money in your bank account, it's better you have a designated account and subscribe to almost nothing. Not Mobile App. Not internet banking. Not USSD. Not even a cheque book. Just nothing.

Immediately after I contacted my family members, a bike rider who took the other lady to the nearest police station came to take me there as well. I politely asked that I be taken to the closest branch of my bank where my salary account is domiciled. The bike rider without hesitating obliged my request. I quickly explained my plight to the security and demanded to meet with a staff. One of them rushed to the branch manager who dialed contact center. After the call, using her phone she sent a mail with all my details. Then we rushed in, she signed in and placed a lien on the funds in my account. Not a kobo had left. I was grateful.

My other bank was a trekkable distance away, I trekked there. Explained to the security guard manning the entrance door, it was still past 7 and he explained that the banking hall wasn't open. I told him I needed my card blocked, he pointed me to the ATM. 'Mr.! Stop acting like a princupality! I know about self service and that I can hotlist my card through an ATM but I can't remember my card details.' Just then, a staff of the bank came in and asked what the issue was, I went straight to the point and made my simple request, he showed me the ATM, I told him I couldn't remember those details especially the last 4 digits of my card. Then he said l'll need to fill a form. At the sound of a form, I took offense. Is the Nigerian bank now like our Federal hospitals and Health centers where they watch a dying patient give up the ghost in the corridor because they need to 'fill form and pay some ridiculous amount' before treatment will commence. I made it clear that if withdrawals are done on my account from the time I got to the branch and my account gets cleared, they'll pay down to the last kobo. I made it clear also that customer's instruction superseded any other instruction or form I needed to fill. Everything can be regularised later. First things first.

When the staff saw my understanding of banking, he asked for my account name, I provided that. He asked for the name of the branch where the account was opened, I provided that. Then he asked for my mobile number tied to the account. I did. All these answers were to help him get my account number from the system cos I couldn't correctly remember my account number and I wasn't ready to gamble with it. He went in with that information and came out shortly smiling. Your card has been blocked and the last transaction on your account was an inflow from Chinasa on the 3rd of February. 'Thanks', I said smiling back.

I called a relation working in a bank next through the help of a family member who had come to my rescue and was now driving me around. I got my card blocked as well. From there I went to my last bank that was actively for savings. There I met no resistance. The customer service agent cooperated well and after asking all security questions made sure to block the card. She wrote down my balance in the account and put the paper in my hand. 'Sorry', she said.
"Thank you", I responded.

Next was to block my SIM card. That was equally successful. I did that over the phone. By the time I was done, I couldn't believe it. That I was alive and well. No tooth lost. I could still see. I wasn't bleeding. I had all my monies intact. I was not in shambles so to say.

Made my way to the office that day, as I recounted my ordeal, it dawned on me that this pattern has been going on for a while. These guys are on the roads of Lagos unleashing havoc and making the city unsafe. It is to this end I've decided to share my experience and hope someone learns from this. We cannot be too careful but as much as we can, ensure you take adequate measures to protect yourself.

Eko o ni baje oooooo

Thanks for sharing, those of us who specialize in jungle justice will take note. Any one chance we catch now will hear am

amicable09:
Pretty much so.

My big bro had d same xperience late last year. I was so mad hearing d news.

Something has to be done quickly to put an everlasting stop to it.

I can't jxt understand how grown up men wil spend their time robbing innocent people who have laboured for deir money.

May they never find peace. ...may their next operation be their last in Jesus name!

Sorry for the bad experience but how did you block your sim from your phone

amicable09:
Having debit cards is not bad, but carrying debit cards around is dangerous. It's in fact, a crime to carry many cards with zero balance around. At this point I think I should say this, when it comes to saving money in your bank account, it's better you have a designated account and subscribe to almost nothing. Not Mobile App. Not internet banking. Not USSD. Not even a cheque book. Just nothing.

Immediately after I contacted my family members, a bike rider who took the other lady to the nearest police station came to take me there as well. I politely asked that I be taken to the closest branch of my bank where my salary account is domiciled. The bike rider without hesitating obliged my request. I quickly explained my plight to the security and demanded to meet with a staff. One of them rushed to the branch manager who dialed contact center. After the call, using her phone she sent a mail with all my details. Then we rushed in, she signed in and placed a lien on the funds in my account. Not a kobo had left. I was grateful.

My other bank was a trekkable distance away, I trekked there. Explained to the security guard manning the entrance door, it was still past 7 and he explained that the banking hall wasn't open. I told him I needed my card blocked, he pointed me to the ATM. 'Mr.! Stop acting like a princupality! I know about self service and that I can hotlist my card through an ATM but I can't remember my card details.' Just then, a staff of the bank came in and asked what the issue was, I went straight to the point and made my simple request, he showed me the ATM, I told him I couldn't remember those details especially the last 4 digits of my card. Then he said l'll need to fill a form. At the sound of a form, I took offense. Is the Nigerian bank now like our Federal hospitals and Health centers where they watch a dying patient give up the ghost in the corridor because they need to 'fill form and pay some ridiculous amount' before treatment will commence. I made it clear that if withdrawals are done on my account from the time I got to the branch and my account gets cleared, they'll pay down to the last kobo. I made it clear also that customer's instruction superseded any other instruction or form I needed to fill. Everything can be regularised later. First things first.

When the staff saw my understanding of banking, he asked for my account name, I provided that. He asked for the name of the branch where the account was opened, I provided that. Then he asked for my mobile number tied to the account. I did. All these answers were to help him get my account number from the system cos I couldn't correctly remember my account number and I wasn't ready to gamble with it. He went in with that information and came out shortly smiling. Your card has been blocked and the last transaction on your account was an inflow from Chinasa on the 3rd of February. 'Thanks', I said smiling back.

I called a relation working in a bank next through the help of a family member who had come to my rescue and was now driving me around. I got my card blocked as well. From there I went to my last bank that was actively for savings. There I met no resistance. The customer service agent cooperated well and after asking all security questions made sure to block the card. She wrote down my balance in the account and put the paper in my hand. 'Sorry', she said.
"Thank you", I responded.

Next was to block my SIM card. That was equally successful. I did that over the phone. By the time I was done, I couldn't believe it. That I was alive and well. No tooth lost. I could still see. I wasn't bleeding. I had all my monies intact. I was not in shambles so to say.

Made my way to the office that day, as I recounted my ordeal, it dawned on me that this pattern has been going on for a while. These guys are on the roads of Lagos unleashing havoc and making the city unsafe. It is to this end I've decided to share my experience and hope someone learns from this. We cannot be too careful but as much as we can, ensure you take adequate measures to protect yourself.

Eko o ni baje oooooo

amicable09 thanks for sharing this... i learned 3 things here. i pray we all never encounter something liker dz o.

amicable09


Hi
What do you mean by customers instruction supersedes every other and can be regularised later

amicable09:
I agree 100%. Robbers are so desperate to the point of maiming or killing if there's resistance in any way. I am wiser now, if only I knew that even from my transaction history my bank can tell which ATM dispensed my cash. And from the CCTV footage, I can get the robber's identity. That mere slotting my card in a POS can get me the details of the merchant who owns the POS and all other information required can be gotten with ease as long as there's life...

We learn everyday.
Sorry about the loss of your friend.

Yes the details can be gotten but remember this is Nigeria. For instance, if you lose 50k to those robbers, you might spend more than 30 in bureaucracy trying to recover it.

Thank God for your life my sister..... The God of heaven will continue to protect his own in Jesus name. Congratulations once again.

Shebi the government promised to change those Danfo buses this month.

geekybabe:
Amicable09, sorry about the ish.
I had a similar experience 2 weeks back. My phones and laptop was taken from me. Same scenario. Boarded a bus around past 6am. They were calling obalende/cms. They picked me by gbagada. Me and 2 other ladies. Took our atm cards and evry cash we had. Took phones jewelry and slapped us left right. They dropped us off at Berger axis.

Thank God it wasn't more than that. A couple of pple I know shared similar stories on Facebook,


If you are in Lagos be vigilant.
These is really rampant this days.

That's is why I can't stay in lag, spent some months there and I wasnt used to the rush

Here in Benin, where do I want to go to at past six am, when the bus drivers are not even up at that time

We leave the house 7:20 and still get to work before 8am

We all have to be careful though,

Pentools:
True say, Abuja is undeniably one of the coolest place to live in Nigeria less hassle n not close to cool stories....u damn right, I'm proud of that zone. Lagos is too lousy,ratty, grubby and bunch of tiring city filled with more bad news than the good ones. Stuffs like this happen awhole lot in Lagos even stuffs social media don't get to hear of. Imagine they didn't get out alive people on seeing them would probably tag them oloshos. Op I thank God with you,,,u are sure serving a living God ur grace bank is still green.

Abuja too go sweet, no rush, no police disturbance, boys dey press laptop for resturant and public places for broad daylight, no f disturbance

Big men children full town, no harassment

Once u can cope with the expensive accommodation or if u can't cope, u can get cheap accommodation at keffi, gwagalada, suleja ,

Jazmiynne:

That it's a faceless forum doesn't make everything cooked up.

There are real humans behind these monikers with stories that would blow your mind.

Just because 'her heroic display' baffled your mind doesn't make it any less true.

Can you guys stop trying to disprove people's stories just because it does not fit into a stereotype?

She got into one chance, and God came through in unique ways including giving her the calm to think straight. Oga, let's give thanks in her behalf.

Btw, it's not a cooked story. I know Amy and she was attacked indeed. Plus, on this same thread someone has identified the second co-victim of that same attack. Although, you don't have to believe it anyways.

May they not disbelieve your own Thanksgiving.

well, which ever way you may think, that's my opinion and that's what I felt about her story. You can't change that. You can't force it down my throat. Everybody has his own peculiar way of seeing things and that must be respected if you want to be tolerant. Must you believe my story? What difference will it make or credit will I have if you choose the way you want to believe about people's observations? You misunderstood me totally and corroborated your own version of my own opinion just to discredit me. Stop being childish please.

stunningjudy:
Amicable09, I'm sorry about what u went through. Mine is similar but worse.

I was the only passenger, I had just come into Lagos for a training, so I didn't really know anything. [b]one of the guys was busy handling my breast, I got slaps on my eyes, they took my wallet, card, watch and phone. Applied aboniki balm to my eyes, dropped me off. It was a truck driver that assisted me, gave me his phone to call my facilitator, calmed me down.

Since then I have been scared of entering buses even taxis. Last friday, I entered a taxi and it was late, the driver now stopped near a bush saying he crushed a snake, I jumped out of the taxi and other passengers were looking at me like a mad person.

I haven't gotten over the trauma and it's depressing.

Sorry dear

IjeleNwa:
Everybody wanna live in Lagos.
But the truth was that u were smart. And strong,u didn't allow the situation to traumatize u........acted fast...for somepeople they will cry the wholde day,while harms are being done.

Yea she was smart and educated, imagine she went to the police station first to write her statement �, may be her money would have gone, guess the robbers were on the ATM queue

Partnerbiz:
amicable09


Hi
What do you mean by customers instruction supersedes every other and can be regularised later

OK... In simple terms, as a customer, your instruction should be acted on as long as you're not giving an instruction that is against the law. If you want to move funds from your account, you can choose to write it down on a plain sheet of paper and sign without filling the bank's fund transfer form and the bank is mandated to act on it. That is your instruction, the form is their business.

In my case my instruction was verbal, by regularizing I mean I can later do a formal written request to block the card. It was an emergency and I didn't expect that because of a form they will reject or delay my request.

amicable09:
Oh really!?
I remember I heard her say she wanted to call her office before she taken to a church.

It's well.
Hope she's well?

Thanks jare. Lol @ my uncle
You know the man na... Lol

Yeah. She took some days off to recover.

Pele jare. We are trying to locate those guys. They will be caught!!

Jazmiynne:
Is this truly all you could make of the post?

I am a writer.

I liked the way she painted her story so vividly almost to a point I started imagining I was there with her the whole while.

Maybe if I should rewrite this whole story one day and make it seem as if it happened to me, chances are you may be the one praising me for telling such a powerful tale not knowing that I was only borrowing with or without permission from someone else.

One thing about we creative people, oftentimes we don't see things the way others see it.

Sorry, but I cannot make any apologies for being that way.

naijafox:
Abuja too go sweet, no rush, no police disturbance, boys dey press laptop for resturant and public places for broad daylight, no f disturbance

Big men children full town, no harassment

Once u can cope with the expensive accommodation or if u can't cope, u can get cheap accommodation at keffi, gwagalada, suleja ,

Iswear bro. That laptop usage anywhere and at anytime is amongst the sweetest part of the fct.

So many things learnt!!!
OP, sorry oo!

amicable09:
I feel compelled to share my story out here so others can learn and act even more smartly when faced with these robbers while on transit.

The rate of crime in Lagos is increasingly alarming and our security forces are almost oblivious to what area boys/jobless youths/touts are doing to innocent and unsuspecting passengers on the streets of Lagos.

It was a bright and early Monday morning in Surulere where I live, I had just prepared for work and ready to hit the road before traffic starts building up on our roads for Monday mornings are usually very busy with meetings and appointments that no one dares to miss. I, like the many others who were at the junction at that time stood waiting for our rides. Some were waiting for their staff bus, some friends and colleagues, others commercial buses enroute their destinations. My mobile phones were dead due to the epileptic power supply in my area so I couldn't contact the colleagues I drive with to work. While I stood at the bus stop, a yellow commercial bus drove by... Half empty.

"CMS! CMS!"
Without suspecting, I flagged it down. Joined the bus together with a bystander (male). As the bus drove off, it continued to pick other bystanders who posed like they were rushing off to their businesses that early. I would later find out that they were a gang of robbers save for an elderly woman and a lady who sat at the back and quarreled with the guy who wouldn't close his legs for her to be comfortable on the journey.

Midway through, we were all asked to pay for the fare, I brought out the only cash on me, a crisp N1,000 note and paid. Everyone in the bus paid too. The guy next to me demanded for change, I echoed his request as well. The conductor responded by acknowledging his indebtedness to us. There was mild traffic. They made to divert. One passenger behind said he needed to alight from the bus. The conductor told him to be patient for the driver to park well but he was impatient, nudging the lady beside him to give way.

"Haba! You wan fly?" The lady angrily shouted.
"I say shift make I come down" The impatient guy responded.
"O'l boy, wait make we park well na" The conductor said multiple times.

I couldn't be bothered by all the drama behind and I concluded within me that those duo behind simply lacked manners for CMS buses by that time carried well mannered people who were rushing to their corporate offices with many dressed in suits and ties. Well, with a few exceptions being cleaners, drivers, security guards of companies. It was always easy to spot. One thing was common, time. Time, which is always of the essence.

That argument before I knew it, turned into a wrestle. Things happened so fast. In a split second I was on the floor. It was a command that I obeyed. The lady behind had been pushed to the middle and the phone in her hand snatched. She screamed while I shivered. The bus kept moving. In my heart of hearts, I thought that fateful Monday was going to be my last. The man beside me, fair in complexion, collected my hand bag and began searching through it. He got hold of my Android phone which was dead and asked me to put it on. I told him innocently that the battery was dead. He thought I was lying and a slap would do the trick, so he slapped me hard. I begged him. I begged him with tears in my eyes to believe me. The guy next to him matched me to shut up.

"I say on this phone before I rape you here!"
'Ah! Please don't touch me. The battery of the phone is dead. It died over ten hours ago. Since last night!'
I noticed after I said that that I was speaking English with an accent to boys who are hungry. So I switched to pidgin.
"How you dey take unlock your phone?"
'Na pin!' I said with a shaky voice.
"Pin or pattern!? " The coarse voice barked back.
'Pin!'
"Wetin be the pin?" He demanded to know
'1233' I told him truthfully.
"Put your head down! Your hands flat! Close your eyes!"
'My head dey down. Abeg don't hurt me. No wound me aabeg!'
"Shut up your mouth!" He brought out a sharp table knife.
The other guy was still searching through my bag. One with my wallet. The men in front asking the guys behind what they could find in the bag. I had no cash except for the one I paid the conductor with but I had four debit cards. They had found three.

With a slap, they asked for my pin, unknown to me, they had a POS terminal with the chairman in front. I gave a wrong pin. They tried it and it was incorrect. There and then, I thought I felt my tooth leave my mouth for the slap was unleashed out of anger. I began to pray for if I'll die, I shouldn't die because of debit card pin that was incorrect. Three words I began to mutter...

'Nothing missing. Nothing stolen. Nothing destroyed.'

The lady behind was being rough handled. The mama in front was being harassed. They began to search me roughly. I had a sanitary pad in my handbag just for keepsake. I was calm. They threatened to rape me, it was still dark, I was well covered and the bus was tight but still I prayed. 'Nothing missing. Nothing stolen. Nothing destroyed'.

Then the guy with my bag took out my work ID. it was like he struck gold. He told the one with my purse to search for my bank's debit card. It was hiding somewhere in the purse. That card warehouses all my funds. That card was really liquid. After what looked like minutes, he found it and demanded for the pin. I gave him the correct pin. He typed it on his phone. Asked me for the balance in the account, I said 5k. What befell me made me see stars. I quickly increased it to 20k. Told them I was just a contract staff who only got a job one month ago. So they asked, 'savings or current?'

"Current!" I can't die lying.

They got the pins of all my four debit cards and just when one of the guys got off the bus to an ATM for cash withdrawal, I suddenly felt calm. The words I had been muttering began to give me peace. I will leave in one piece.

The bus driver continued to drive.
I kept praying inside.
The men made suggestive comments.
The lady behind kept screaming as they tortured her...

Our end was near....

thank you for sharing your experience and giving tips on how to avoid/lose small if attacked. I believe by exposing the way they operate people can be more informed and this reduces the chances of getting robbed. Thanks once again..

am sorry for your loaa, and pray it won't happen again

davide470:
Yeah. She took some days off to recover.

Pele jare. We are trying to locate those guys. They will be caught!!

Oh wow!
It must have been tough on her. I hope she recovers quickly.

Did she lose money?
How are you guys going about locating the guys? She should be able to recognize the ones who sat behind with her. I can recognize the two guys who sat beside me.

davide470:
Yeah. She took some days off to recover.

Pele jare. We are trying to locate those guys. They will be caught!!

Oshey Tilapia! Awon baddest CID of life, Black Panther of Naija! Twale baba.

amicable09:
Oh wow!
It's must have been tough on her. I hope she recovers quickly.

Did she lose money?
How are you guys going about locating the guys? She should be able to recognize the ones who sat behind with her. I can recognize the two guys who sat beside me.

They withdrew all the funds in her accounts. Not so much though. In our kinda business, keeping money in your bank account is not a good investment decision.

Trying to get the bank to provide camera footage of the ATM withdrawal and some other means though. Nigerian Police is something else.

Jazmiynne:
Is this truly all you could make of the post?

On a more serious note if not for the fact that I know how randy that route could be and the fact that amicable writes pretty damn good I would have said the story looks fixed. So you can't blame the other guy, she wrote the post too damn good to be true but it doesn't take the truth out of the post. I've always had a manual Account where I transfer my huge funds to and leave some fairly used cash on my move about ATM, na God go help us jare.

Appliedmaths:
I've always had a manual Account where I transfer my huge funds to

What's the PIN to the ATM card of this particular account





Don't worry about how I'd get hold of the card itself... Just share the pin

OMG, what a chilling story.... I can imagine the trauma you went through.... I like how your confessions worked for you... nothing was missing, stolen and broken, only your phone....... I pray affliction does not rise the second time...... I am glad they didn't withdraw your hard earned funds.... I really learnt from your story..... you have given me more reasons to hate Lagos....
cc amicable09

Jazmiynne:
What's the PIN to the ATM card of this particular account





Don't worry about how I'd get hold of the card itself... Just share the pin

Na finger print I dey use