Roadside car wash spots

• New targets for thieves, motorists lament

From Fred Ezeh, Abuja

Car wash spots in Abuja are increasingly becoming an unsafe for motorists to visit as car thieves have penetrated the business for their criminal purposes. Cases of car theft in these locations have been on the rise lately.

Police said cases of car theft are being reported every day in various stations. While some of the cars are snatched at gun point, others are taken from places they are parked.

The incidents which used to peak at festive seasons has, unfortunately, turned to year-round criminal activity. Car theft has obviously increased in numbers, and the thieves have strategically positioned themselves across Abuja to do their dirty job.

From all indications, their target brands are Honda, Nissan and Toyota, with particularly interest on Toyota Camry (pencil light and muzzle), Toyota Corolla S, Big for nothing, Honda baby boy, academy among others.

Demand for these cars are high among the average class of people in the society. As such, they are easily sold. They are considered efficient, rugged and easy to maintain, hence the choice of those cars by drivers.

Recently, there was mild drama at Karsana, Abuja, where a car was allegedly stolen by a roadside car wash operator. A customer, Stanley, returned to the cash wash spot a few hours after he dropped his Toyota Corolla car (big for nothing) at the car wash and met its absence.

It turned out that the car wash operator who took custody of the car for the purpose of washing made away with the car. He was said to have disappeared with the car and all the valuables therein to unknown location.

Initially, the car owner thought it was prank or that the car wash operator who he identified as Usman, went out to buy something with the car since he always left the car key with him each time he brings the car for wash. But after waiting for hours, it became clear to him that the car has been stolen by the car wash operator.

Stanley told Daily Sun: “I was confused and lost thought and idea of what to do at that moment. While suggestions came from different people on the next line of action. In the midst of confusion, I reported to the police with serious doubt on any possible help from the police.”

Stanley confirmed that the security system of the car installed some years ago was deactivated few weeks to the theft due to some mechanical reasons. However, a few days after the theft, he decided to check with the security system installer on possible ways he could recover the car. After checks, he was informed of possible steps that could help in recovering of the car: “I took action in that regard and discovered that the car was found at a particular location in Edo State. An advanced search was initiated to discover the precise location of the car. That helped in the recovery of the car.”

Police confirmed that car wash, markets, religious places, event centres especially at night hours, schools and other lonely places have been turned to operational bases for the thieves: “But the police are always on top of the game.

Motorists are encouraged to make deliberate efforts to secure their cars and avoid the issue of car theft. Police assured residents: “We are working round the clock to tackle car theft, one chance, kidnappings and other related crime.

Enoch, a car wash operator in Airport Road, Abuja, said: “This is seriously painting us the car wash operators in a bad light. Customers don’t trust us anymore.

“In my garage, a wash boy stole an item that belonged to a customer. He was caught and handed over to the police for prosecution after the items were recovered. It was a way to tell others that such criminal act is not tolerated in the garage.

“Customers often trust us with valuable items in their cars whenever they bring it for washing. So, it will be unfair for us to betray such trust and tamper with their valuables inside. That’s why our boss does not take it lightly whenever a wash tampers with customer’s item.”

A victim of car theft, Walter: “My wife’s Toyota Corolla S, was stolen at Utako Market few days ago when she went to make some purchases. I reported the case to the police and they demanded for money from me before they could start investigation. I was obviously not comfortable with that response and I angrily left.”

Kelechi, a mechanic in Apo, Abuja, said: “Car thieves are very determined to unleash pain and loss on motorists. They can use any possible means to do that. Like devil in the Bible, they move about looking for who to devour.

“Some of them were once car mechanics, electricians or panel beaters. They have good knowledge of their target cars and that is the reason for total success in most cases.

“Users of such model of cars should be extra careful and vigilant. Or better still, they should endeavour to install pedal lock security made by welders or reliable tracking device for the safety of the car.”

An Abuja based journalist (name withheld) told Daily Sun: “They made attempt no my Toyota Camry otherwise known as pencil light at the Federal Secretariat Complex, Abuja, where it parked it to attend a meeting.

“I returned after a few hours to open my car only to discover that my door key was strongly tampered with. My car key could not go in anymore. I took a closer look at the door key and saw half key inside obviously broken inside while being forced in.

“The person had wanted to forcefully open the car door but his plan was unsuccessful. My God intervened and his or her key broke inside. I came out and saw half of the key inside my car door key. I was terrified. I looked around but couldn’t see anyone. I thanked God for His intervention and left.”